SAN DIEGO (KTLA) — A former mayor of San Diego has revealed a gambling problem to the tune of a billion dollars.
Maureen O’Connor says she spent the last decade gambling at casinos across the country.
She eventually had to liquidate her savings, take out a third mortgage and sell off real estate to pay for gambling debts.
She also took more than two million dollars from a foundation established by her late husband.
That last one set off red flags with the IRS.
In a deal with federal prosecutors, O’Connor was given two years to pay back the foundation.
She also will have to undergo treatment for gambling addiction.
O’Connor blames the problem on a brain tumor, which her doctor says can affect judgement and impulse control.