An FBI agent has pleaded guilty to making what his lawyer called a "terrible mistake" by gambling away $13,500 (just over £10,000) of government money while he was working on a case in Las Vegas.
Scott Carpenter, who was based out of the FBI’s New York office, was charged with conversion of government money.
Carpenter’s defence attorney Paul Fishman has reportedly made a deal with federal prosecutors.
Because Carpenter had admitted his guilt and demonstrated "otherwise exemplary service" with the FBI and US Army, the prosecution team is expected to recommend probation.
Prosecutors say that between July 27 and July 31, 2017, Carpenter, 40, was in Las Vegas on an undercover operation with three other FBI agents.
After the operation was completed, Carpenter went to a casino's high limit room, where he gambled on blackjack with $13,500 belonging to the US government.
"Four years ago, Scott made a terrible mistake," Fishman said in a statement.
"He immediately acknowledged his conduct, reported it to his superiors, sought professional help for his alcohol problem, and made arrangements to repay the FBI."
The charge would normally carry a maximum sentence of up to a year in jail. US District Judge Gloria Navarro has scheduled Carpenter’s sentencing for May 18.
As many as 10 million Americans are thought to be living with a gambling addiction.
The country has a number of holiday resorts dedicated to gambling and while the best known destinations are Las Vegas and Atlantic City, the largest single casino in the US – and in the world – is actually the 400,000-square-foot WinStar World Casino & Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
It has over a hundred gaming tables, with 55 set aside for poker alone, and some 8,500 slot machines.
The casino also has a 3,500-seat concert venue, which has played host to performers from KISS to, Tony Bennett and Jerry Seinfeld
Thackerville itself has a listed population of less than 500.
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