Former Louisiana state senator Karen Carter Peterson is set to be sentenced in federal court in New Orleans today, after admitting guilt to using campaign contributions for betting in casinos.
Peterson pleaded guilty in August to a single count of wire fraud -- admitting to stealing more than $147,000 from campaign contributors.
Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the sentence is calculated in part based on how much was stolen.
"Depending on what the exact computations are, she probably is looking at something at around two years of jail time for this," said Ciolino. "That could go up or down, depending on aggravating and mitigating circumstances associated with the events."
Peterson says she paid the money back and has been seeking help for dealing with her gambling addiction.
She has also been cooperating with authorities, but it is not clear who she may be providing information about to the feds.
