SKOWHEGAN, Maine (AP) – The former head of a Somerset County Veterans of Foreign Wars post who had been charged with allowing illegal gambling at the facility has pleaded guilty to lesser charges that will give him the opportunity to clear his record.
Louis Padula, of Anson, the former commander at the Madison VFW Harvell-Bishop Post 7865, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.
In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped charges of illegal gambling, falsifying evidence and tampering with a witness.
The 71-year-old Padula was also fined $500, but if he stays out of legal trouble for a year, charges will be dismissed.
Padula was arrested in March after police received a tip about gambling at the VFW. Authorities say he made illegal payouts to patrons who played a video poker game at the facility.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
