Addicted mayor gambled away $1 billion in charity money
FREE Catholic Classes
The former Democratic Mayor of San Diego, Maureen O'Connor, has reached a deal with prosecutors to repay some $2 million in money she gambled away that was intended for charity.
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
2/14/2013 (1 decade ago)
Published in U.S.
Keywords: Maureen O'Connor, gambling, Jack in the Box, charity, plea deal, prosecution
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The frail 66-year-old O'Connor, entered into a deferred prosecution deal where she will repay some $2 million she allegedly improperly took from a charitable trust established by her late husband, Robert O. Peterson.
Peterson is best known for establishing the Jack in the Box chain of restaurants and made a fortune in the hotel and banking industries. He left a sizeable part of that fortune in a charitable trust.
O'Connor, who had access to the money admitted in court that she has a gambling addiction. By her estimate, she gambled away about $1 billion in family money at casinos in the Los Angeles and San Diego area between 2008 and 2009. She is now destitute.
Her health also appears to be poor. Although only 66, she is frail and walks with the aid of a cane.
O'Connor, a Democrat, was the mayor of San Diego from 1986 to 1992, and built a reputation as a maverick. Prior to that career, she was a well-regarded swimmer and physical education teacher.
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online
Come Grow With Us
Sign up and walk the Catholic journey with millions around the world.
Receive inspiring emails on saints, daily readings, and free faith-building resources—no cost, ever.
Catholic Online Is Free. But We Need Your Help.
Please Watch
- 7 Morning Prayers
- Mysteries of the Rosary
- Litany of the Bl. Virgin Mary
- Popular Saints
- Popular Prayers
- Female Saints
- Saint Feast Days by Month
- Stations of the Cross
- St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Michael the Archangel
- The Apostles' Creed
- Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
- Pray the Rosary
Copyright 2026 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2026 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.