California Online Poker Bill Sponsor Sen. Rod Wright Convicted of Felony

The man most responsible for bringing the discussion of legalized online poker to the state of California has been convicted of perjury and voter fraud.

A Los Angeles jury on Tuesday convicted state Sen. Roderick D. Wright on all eight counts in his perjury and voter fraud trial.

This conviction, which could result in up to 8 years behind bars, places efforts to legalize Web poker rooms in California at serious risk.

Prosecutors in Los Angeles alleged Wright did not live in the Inglewood home he listed as his address when he ran for office in 2008 but instead lived in a sprawling home in neighboring Baldwin Hills.

The eight charges include two counts of perjury, one count of filing a false declaration of candidacy and five counts of fraudulent voting.

Wright will maintain his seat in the state Senate for the time being.  Two-thirds of the 40-member Senate votes would be required to expel him.

- Ace King, Gambling911.com