Rod Wright, State senator of California, was indicted on eight counts, false declaration of candidacy, perjury, and voter fraud just a few among them. This could mean eight months in prison for him and it could spell disaster for all the support that he’s been giving to the online poker industry. If he is convicted, the repercussions will no doubt be severe.

Rod Wright Indicted

The news swept over California like a tidal wave. Rod Wright was just indicted on eight accounts. He was said to have changed his voter registration back in 2007 just to run for the legislature. He did not live in the district which he chose to represent, which counts as a crime in the eyes of the law. Wright declared that he lives in an Inglewood Apartment but it was found out that he was actually living in Baldwin Hills and has actually been doing so since 2000. He is also accused of voting fraudulently during the 2008 and 2009 elections. If he is convicted, he might have to spend more than eight months in prison. Furthermore, he might not be allowed to hold a public office in the future. He pleaded not guilty and posted a bail of $45,000 and is scheduled to appear on court this October 8.

Rod Wright and Online Poker

Rod Wright was actually one of the main movers in the legal world for online poker. He was moving to bring intrastate online poker back to California, paving the way for many new roads in the industry. California is having quite a bit of problems financially and is therefore looking for a way to generate more income. Rod Wright suggested Senate Bill 1485, which would have breathed life into the poker industry in California, thus generating healthy revenue for the state. Things were going quite well, especially since the Poker Voters of America or the PVA made some amendments to the bill so that it would have a better chance of getting passed and thus becoming a law. California could have been the first jurisdiction to allow intrastate online poker, which might have prompted others to follow suit.

Without Rod Wright’s support, it’s unknown whether the bill will still move as fast as it could have. But one thing’s for sure, the PVA is not going to leave the bill hanging and will continue to lobby for it.

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