"For years, I have suffered from depression and a gambling addiction," Shirakawa wrote.
"Unfortunately, my gambling addiction went untreated for too long which led to bad decisions and actions that I deeply regret."
According to tax records given to prosecutors by Shirakawa's lawyers on Monday, he won about $400,000 from gambling.
Prosecutors say Shirakawa moved $130,000 in and out of campaign accounts and public funds since 2008, most of it at casinos in Southern California and Las Vegas. His perjury charges date back to 2002 for filing false reports regarding five campaign bank accounts when he was elected as a trustee for a school district representing San Jose's East Side.
Shirakawa said in his March 1 resignation letter that he has paid most of the money back.
Shirakawa, a former San Jose councilman who took over his late father's seat in the 1990s, was elected to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in 2008.
In November, Shirakawa won a second term as supervisor after running unopposed while the district attorney's office investigated his alleged spending of campaign and public funds over the past decade.
Sinunu-Towery said taxpayers funded Shirakawa's casino trips, golf outings and lavish meals.
"His actions brought a lot of shame to the political community and this county," Sinunu-Towery told the Associated Press. "We hope it sends a strong message that we won't tolerate corrupt government.
"It's just a pathetic story," Sinunu-Towery said. "(Shirakawa) had the trust of a lot of people that he let down."
As part of the deal, Shirakawa will be banned from holding public office.
"Unfortunately, my gambling addiction went untreated for too long which led to bad decisions and actions that I deeply regret."
According to tax records given to prosecutors by Shirakawa's lawyers on Monday, he won about $400,000 from gambling.
Prosecutors say Shirakawa moved $130,000 in and out of campaign accounts and public funds since 2008, most of it at casinos in Southern California and Las Vegas. His perjury charges date back to 2002 for filing false reports regarding five campaign bank accounts when he was elected as a trustee for a school district representing San Jose's East Side.
Shirakawa said in his March 1 resignation letter that he has paid most of the money back.
Shirakawa, a former San Jose councilman who took over his late father's seat in the 1990s, was elected to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in 2008.
In November, Shirakawa won a second term as supervisor after running unopposed while the district attorney's office investigated his alleged spending of campaign and public funds over the past decade.
Sinunu-Towery said taxpayers funded Shirakawa's casino trips, golf outings and lavish meals.
"His actions brought a lot of shame to the political community and this county," Sinunu-Towery told the Associated Press. "We hope it sends a strong message that we won't tolerate corrupt government.
"It's just a pathetic story," Sinunu-Towery said. "(Shirakawa) had the trust of a lot of people that he let down."
As part of the deal, Shirakawa will be banned from holding public office.
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