![Louisiana Lawmaker Spent $37,000 of His Campaign Funds on Gambling](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2017/09/Jerome-Dee-Richard.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Louisiana Lawmaker Spent $37,000 of His Campaign Funds on Gambling
This is quite the story. A Louisiana lawmaker spent $37,000 from his campaign account to gamble, but says he's going to pay it back and there's a reason for the splurge.
Rep. Jerome "Dee" Richard of Thibodaux says he believes his gambling addiction was a side effect to anti-Parkinson's disease medication he used. He also says he's reached a settlement with the Board of Ethics, agreeing to repaying the money and acknowledged improper use of campaign donations.
"I spent whatever I had to my name, and I started using campaign funds," said Richard in an interview.
Studies have shown that anti-Parkinson medications can occasionally spark compulsions like pathological gambling. Richard said he never had an interest in gambling before he began taking the drugs back in mid-2011.
"The drugs involved, I'm sure they had something to do with it," he said. "But I've taken responsibility, and I'm moving forward."
The lawmaker did send a statement explaining the ethics violation to every House member. Richard says he doesn't plan to resign.
Ethics administrator Kathleen Allen would not confirm that a consent agreement had been reached with Richard.
More From Cajun Radio 1290 AM
![Old Isle Of Capri Site Getting New Life Thanks to Caesars](http://townsquare.media/site/160/files/2022/02/attachment-Horseshoe-Casino.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Man Sells Everything, Wagers it All on One Spin of Roulette Wheel](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2022/02/attachment-adi-coco-kQW7xY7ponQ-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Gaming Control Issues Four More Sports Betting Licenses](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2020/05/Sports-Book-Covers-via-YouTube.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Mom Jailed – Left Kid in the Car So She Could Gamble](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2021/10/attachment-brianna-santellan-TrvLsDu4sHk-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Beaumont Newspaper Asks — Is Lake Charles Big Enough for More Casinos?](http://townsquare.media/site/162/files/2014/12/photo-1-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Allen Parish Voters Have To Wait On Video Poker Issue](http://townsquare.media/site/162/files/2011/05/video-poker-in-casino1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Allen Parish Residents Will Decide On Video Poker](http://townsquare.media/site/162/files/2011/03/Video-poker.jpg?w=980&q=75)