State Sen. Brenda Council pleaded guilty Tuesday to filing false campaign finance reports that prosecutors say concealed her misuse of more than $60,000 in campaign donations at casinos.

A Lancaster County judge sentenced Council on Tuesday to pay a $500 fine and court costs. She has apologized for her actions, and plans to continue running for re-election in northeast Omaha.

After her court appearance, Council told the Lincoln Journal Star that her gambling problem "caused me to commit a grave error in judgment. And that is being addressed as well, has been addressed, and right now I'm just looking forward to moving forward and continuing to serve the great residents of the state of Nebraska.

"We all fall down and what I'm doing right now is getting back up," said Council, 59. She also said she is getting treatment for a gambling addiction.

Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, whose office prosecuted the case, said the sentence was appropriate.

"Senator Council knowingly filed false campaign finance statements," Bruning said. "Today's guilty plea helps to ensure she is held accountable for her unlawful actions."

Bruning said bank records and casino security videos show that Council withdrew a total of $63,052 at casinos on several occasions and then deposited $36,166 in cash back into the campaign fund. Council has agreed to repay the $27,000 shortfall.

Council is an attorney and former Omaha city councilwoman and school board member.

Council is running in District 11 against her predecessor, Ernie Chambers, who was the longest-serving member of the Nebraska Legislature before term limits forced him to leave office in 2009. A write-in candidate, Susan Smith, is also seeking the seat.

Council faced both her opponents in a televised debate Monday night, and opened by apologizing for her actions. She also encouraged anyone else dealing with a gambling addiction to seek help from professionals, family and friends.

Council said she believes she can still effectively represent her district. But Chambers won more votes than Council in the two-way May primary.

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Editor's Note: Yup, it was the gambling addiction...Democrat criminals are always victims of something else...they are never despicable cheats...


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