Ex-Mayor O'Connor Charged with Embezzling Charity's Millions (San Diego: 2013, attorney)

[hitman619]

Former San Diego Mayor Maureen O'Connor, widow of Jack-in-the-Box founder Robert O. Peterson, squandered away her fortune on a video poker habit according to her personal attorney.
The revelation was made Thursday outside a federal courthouse in San Diego where O'Connor faces one charge of stealing millions from a charity set up by her late husband.
The former mayor's eyes filled with tears and she answered questions haltingly as she pleaded not guilty to a embezzlement charge.
According to her attorney, O'Connor has had severe health problems for several years including a brain tumor which he blamed for a gambling habit.
The 66-year-old, whose estate was at one time worth $40 to $50 million on paper, spent every last dime she had gambling according to attorney Eugene Iredale.
Iredale said his client won and lost more than $1 billion in gambling winnings over a nine-year period of playing video poker in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and San Diego.

They alleged that between Sept. 2008 and March 2009, O'Connor took more than $2,088,000 from the foundation.
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Source: Ex-Mayor O'Connor Charged with Embezzling Charity's Millions | NBC 7 San Diego
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Damn!

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Yeah that was a really sad and unfortunate story. I dont know anyone that has had a condition like that (brain tumor) but it apparently affected cognitive reasoning to the point where she went on this spree.

I wasnt living here when she was Mayor (was here when Murphy was) but didnt seem she was too popular. Seems all the locals really liked Pete Wilson.

[earlyretirement]

I'm not sure if I buy the "brain tumor made me do it" excuse. LOL. It's sad to hear but anyone that squanders this kind of money is a fool. Brain tumor or not.


I don't have much sympathy for someone that gambles away $50 million.

[tonyinsd]

Originally Posted by earlyretirement

I'm not sure if I buy the "brain tumor made me do it" excuse. LOL. It's sad to hear but anyone that squanders this kind of money is a fool. Brain tumor or not.


I don't have much sympathy for someone that gambles away $50 million.

If they were of sound mind, I'd agree with you.

If, as she's contending, the brain tumor really messed with her head, it's a different story. If your brain is scrambled like she claims, who knows what's happening in there?

[bloom]

she's an a-hole

[hitman619]

I'm not buying this crap!
They estimate that she lost over a billion dollars.
That's a lot money over long period of time.
I always find that most people don't repent till there caught .
It's kinda sad because she wasn't that bad as mayor.

[earlyretirement]

Originally Posted by tonyinsd

If they were of sound mind, I'd agree with you.

If, as she's contending, the brain tumor really messed with her head, it's a different story. If your brain is scrambled like she claims, who knows what's happening in there?

No way I'd believe that one. And her "foundation" should have had checks and balances. Most of these types of foundations have at least 3 or 4 Trustees. This article below said she was one of 3 trustees so my guess is she made the other 2 close friends and they were asleep at the wheel.

Her brain tumor was only diagnosed in 2011. She began heavily gambling in 2001. She sounds like a degenerate gambler. Nothing more..nothing less.

Maureen O'Connor, Ex-San Diego Mayor, Lost Over $1 Billion Gambling, Misappropriated Funds

[shmoov_groovzsd]

sounds like blooms comment summed it up then.

[earlyretirement]

Originally Posted by hitman619

I'm not buying this crap!
They estimate that she lost over a billion dollars.
That's a lot money over long period of time.
I always find that most people don't repent till there caught .
It's kinda sad because she wasn't that bad as mayor.

They are including in that 1 Billion all the times she won and then lost it again. Not good journalism and who knows if the figure is correct or not. I'm sure they sensationalized it a bit.

The real tragedy is if she doesn't get any jail time and gets let off with probation or other nonsense.

I guess the positive thing is that she didn't have her gambling problem while she was in office.

[earlyretirement]

Actually it's quite clear she won't be given any jail time and I guess if she really does have a brain tumor maybe jail isn't the best place for her but no way I'm buying the "brain tumor" made me do it excuse.