Former State Senator, Casino Executive Plead Guilty for Political Contribution Scheme

INDIANAPOLIS – An Indianapolis Casino Executive and former State Senator pled guilty Monday to felonies involving political contribution schemes.

John Keeler, former vice president and general counsel of Indiana-based casino company New Centaur LLC, pleaded guilty for making false statements on its federal tax return by concealing contributions to a local political party as deductible business expenses.

Last week, a former Indiana State Senator, charged in the same indictment, pleaded guilty on charges of using sham donors to receive illegal contributions into his campaign for U.S. Congress, and making false statement to FBI agents.

Court documents state that Keeler, 72, of Indianapolis, paid $41,000 in New Centaur corporate funds to Maryland-based political consultant Kelley Rogers and directed him to funnel $25,000 to a local political party committee in Marion County. Keeler listed the $41,000 as a deductible business expense on his federal tax return.

Court documents show that Darryl Brent Waltz, 48, of Greenwood, worked with Rogers to funnel $40,500 in illegal conduit contributions to his congressional campaign. Waltz is a former Indiana State Senator and 2016 candidate for U.S. Congress and he pleaded guilty to receiving the donation and for lying and misleading FBI agents.

Keeler faces up to three years in prison, and Waltz could receive up to 10 years.