Casino executive and former state lawmaker John Keeler pleaded guilty in federal court Monday morning to one count of filing a false tax return in connection with a scheme to secretly funnel casino cash to a Marion County Republican Party PAC.
The guilty plea came just one hour before Keeler’s federal trial was scheduled to begin and a week after his co-defendant, former state Sen. Brent Waltz, pleaded guilty.
Prosecutors agreed to drop five other counts against Keeler as part of a plea agreement. He faces up to three years in prison, but will likely receive less under the deal. He will be required to pay restitution of $14,350, which equates to the tax losses.