Politicians and government leaders must serve as the role models for the citizens. The people chose them to the lead the nation and make living a lot better. This is why it is depressing to know that there are some of them who abuse their power and use not only their money but the public funds for personal gains. With sites like Google, these politicians can not hide their illicit activities. One perfect example is a powerful politician in Chicago who was reported to have lost a whopping $500,000 from playing at the slot machine. The politician is said to have gambled in a single casino for more than three years. The records proved his losses that were presented during the Democrat’s tax evasion trial.
According to a former employee Janet Guerrero, William Beavers lost as much as $80,000 in 2008, $196,000 in 2007 and $200,000 in 2006. All of these were gambled at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Ind. The politician’s annual salary is only $85,000 as a Cook County Commissioner. The 78 year old Beavers is also charged with using more than $225,000 from his campaign coffers to support his slot machine addiction. Other funds were said to be used for some of his needs, but he was unable to disclose all of these on his 2006 to 2008 federal tax returns. Beaver faces four federal tax counts which he all pleaded not guilty. Each of these charges comes with a three year prison term at most.
Beaver is just among the many politicians who may have concealed their gambling habits over the years. There are many others that had also admitted their addictions over slot machines and other forms of gambling while others remain silent and in denial about it. When average people have this problem, they appear normal and it is not a big deal. However, when it comes to government leaders, this is a very serious matter. Whether these politicians say that they are using their own money, it remains hard to believe. Government leaders who easily get lured into gambling and eventually develop addictions are obviously not mentally healthy and therefore, do not deserve the position and the public trust.