A former Nebraska State Senator pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges after using $63 thousand dollars in campaign funds to place casino bets.

U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg says Brenda Council waived indictment and entered a plea of guilty.

U.S. Judge Lyle E. Strom ordered a pre-sentence investigation and scheduled sentencing December 5, 2013.

The plea agreement contains a provision wherein the parties agree that the appropriate sentence is a term of probation. Should the Court accept the plea agreement the Court must impose a sentence of probation. The Court retains the discretion to set the length and terms of probation and impose a fine within the statutory limits. The Court may also order restitution.

A federal complaint Information charged that Council, while a Nebraska State Senator, withdrew campaign funds and used those funds to place wagers at casinos in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Council misappropriated approximately $63,000 from her campaign funds between January 2010 and July 2012.

Periodic campaign statements accounting for contributions and expenses to Council’s campaign were filed with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. The periodic campaign statements were false in that they failed to account for the electronic transfer of funds at various casinos for the purpose of wagering.

During the calendar years 2010 and 2011 Council placed wagers at casinos in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Using an ATM card drawing off her election campaign account, she would withdraw campaign funds from her bank account in Nebraska. Withdrawals would be made from ATM machines in or near the casinos