NEW ORLEANS — Karen Carter Peterson declined to comment as she left the federal courthouse in downtown New Orleans.
Peterson spent nearly 22 years in the Louisiana legislature.
Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance sentenced her to 22 months in prison.
Earlier, she pleaded guilty to a single count of wire fraud.
She also resigned from the Senate and admitted to using more than $140,000 from campaign contributors and the state Democratic Party to feed an insatiable gambling addiction.
WWL-TV political analyst Clancy Dubos called Peterson’s fall from grace a tragedy on many levels.
“She’s a strong person,” DuBos said. “I think when her sentence is fulfilled, with good time she will probably be out in a little less than 19 months. That’s still a significant time to be behind bars.”
Before learning her sentence, Peterson addressed the court.
“I want to tell everyone who contributed to my campaign and the Democratic Party, I am sorry,” she said. “This criminal case against me is what it finally took to get healthy. I have changed my life.”
Peterson’s attorneys asked Judge Vance for leniency based on what they called Peterson’s diminished mental capacity due to her addiction.
“Ms. Peterson has literally thrown everything away to sit in front of a slot machine,” defense attorney Brian Capitelli said.
Prosecutors objected saying a sentence of home incarceration or probation would send the wrong message to other corrupt politicians and the voters.
“For 7 years, the majority of her time in the Senate, she led a vast scheme to defraud her campaign (contributors),” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Ginsberg said. “A corrupt politician…erodes the public trust.”
The judge rejected the defense request.
“A sentence of probation would not reflect the seriousness of the offense or respect for the law,” Judge Vance said from the bench.
In the end, the judge gave Peterson about half of the 41 to 51 months recommended by the federal probation office.
“I would not be surprised if she continues to serve, not in politics because she’s giving that up,” DuBos said. "But as she has talked about, trying to mentor others who suffer from addiction."
Judge Vance ordered Peterson to report to prison by noon, March 6.
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