Elected Official Pleads Guilty To Financial Wrongdoing

HOUSTON (AP) — A Harris County constable who's been in office more than 25 years has pleaded guilty to financial wrongdoing amid allegations he spent charity funds on gambling.   

Precinct 6 Constable Victor Trevino pleaded guilty Monday to misapplication of fiduciary property. The 62-year-old Trevino also resigned.

Prosecutors say Trevino, who was first elected in 1988, siphoned donations from an educational charity he started and spent the money at a casino or on lottery tickets.

The plea deal came during Trevino's trial in Houston. A judge will decide punishment for Trevino, who faces up to 10 years in prison.

A grand jury in 2012 indicted Trevino on charges alleging improprieties related to the charity, plus tampering with government records over campaign finance reports. Trevino also was accused of using deputies for non-county jobs.