California Senator Rod Wright, one of the strongest champions of online gaming in the golden state, will take an indefinite leave of absence from the Senate as he waits to appeal his conviction on eight felony counts.
The senator was convicted four weeks ago on charges of living in a different district than he represents but fraudulently representing that he lived in his district. His sentencing has been postponed until May.
Wright is a Democrat and some Republicans are trying to get a vote scheduled to eject him from the Chamber.
Wright will continue to collect his salary but won’t be able to collect living expenses. His leave of absence leaves the Senate with just enough Democratic votes to have a bare two-thirds majority, which allows the Democratic leadership to impose its will in almost all instances.
Although state law states that if an officeholder is convicted of a felony, the office becomes vacant, Wright is not officially convicted until a judge sentences him.
Wright has been the strongest proponent of online gaming in the California legislature, having introduced and shepherded bills on this issue several times over the years, including this year.
Wright isn’t the only Senate Democrat whose legal problems are affecting the chamber’s deliberations. Senator Ron Calderon has been “excused on personal business,” while being in arraigned on federal corruption charges.
