The Louisiana state senator penned a letter to her supporters, admitting to her struggle with addiction

NEW ORLEANS — State senator Karen Carter Peterson admitted she has battled a gambling addiction for many years on the heels of a WWL-TV report about a misdemeanor citation issued to her at the L’auberge Casino Resort in Baton Rouge last month.

Peterson, the chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party, penned a letter that was email and tweeted out to her supporters on Friday night, acknowledging the incident and admitting to her struggle with gambling addiction.

"It is a disease. From time to time, I have relapsed; I have let myself down as well as family and friends who are near and dear to me," she wrote.

Peterson admitted she self-enrolled in the Louisiana State Police 'self-exclusion' list of problem gamblers, a program designed to voluntarily exclude problem gamblers from all Louisiana casinos.

While experiencing "challenging times," Peterson said she relapsed, which ultimately led to a misdemeanor citation for remaining after forbidden at the L’auberge on Feb. 27.

"The program worked as it should. I certainly regret failing to uphold my agreement to avoid casinos," Peterson wrote.

This week, officials in Peterson's office were in contact with WWL-TV for the senator to sit down for an interview about the citation and her addiction. However, those representing Peterson said the interview would have to be cancelled, then did not respond to multiple requests for comment late Friday.

In her letter, Peterson acknowledged the communication, writing, "I recently learned that a news outlet was preparing to report that the Louisiana State Police had issued a summons as a result of me entering a casino."

While Peterson wrote that the citation reported on by WWL-TV is a matter of public record, she also wrote that the reason behind her releasing it was because of a leak of information.

"Unfortunately, I am having to publicly divulge these very personal challenges as a result of a breach in the confidentiality of the program," Peterson wrote.

No information gathered and reported on by WWL-TV were obtained from any otherwise confidential sources, however.

Peterson ended the letter by asking for forgiveness.

"I am sorry for the hurt and embarrassment my actions have caused my family and friends. My commitment to my recovery and using my self-care tools will only grow stronger as a result of this experience," she wrote.

Gov. John Bel Edwards released a statement Saturday morning praising Peterson's strength in confronting her addiction.

“Karen has shown strength and contrition in the face of a difficult situation. Addiction is a terrible disease and I am praying for her, her family and her recovery," he said.

Peterson is the first woman to serve as Chair of the La. Democratic Party and two years ago, the national Democratic Party elected her Vice Chair of Civic Engagement and Voter Participation, a position previously held by Donna Brazile.