Pro-Gambling Senator Indicted on Several Felony Counts

The gambling movement in the state of California took a hit Thursday night when state senator Rod Wright was indicted on eight different counts by the state’s Attorney General. Perhaps luckily for advocates of bringing sports gambling to California the indictments had nothing to do with any sort of sports gaming but rather centered on accusations that while Wright has claimed he lived in his district, in Inglewood he actually has residence in Baldwin Hills. If it turned out that he had lived in the Baldwin Hills home since 2000, which is part of the indictment it would show that he has in fact established residence outside of the district he represents.

A grand jury returned the eight count indictment with five of those counts covering voter fraud stemming from Wright living in different residence than the one he claimed when he filed for election. The problem that has arisen for Wright is that while he does own an apartment complex inside his district, very few people actually believe he lives there. His palatial Inglewood home is the more likely place of residence for Wright and the state Attorney General believes that the apartment complex is merely a smoke screen for the state legislator.

Before this indictment Wright’s claim to fame was most likely the fact that he actually brought a bill that would have allowed sports gambling to California. Wright’s claim was that California was losing revenue thanks to the number of residents who were traveling just next door to Nevada when they wanted to put their money down on games. Wright wanted to bring a new stream of revenue to the state by keeping the millions of dollars inside the state. Whether another senator is willing to pick up Wright’s cause now that his reputation has been tarnished remains to be seen.