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Last Updated: Tuesday, 15 April, 2003, 21:40 GMT 22:40 UK

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Ex-Klan chief jailed over
fraud

Duke once held a seat for Louisiana in the
House of Representatives

A former
leader of the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan group in the United
States has turned himself in to a federal prison to begin serving a
15-month sentence for mail and tax fraud.

David Duke - who once held a seat for Louisiana in the House of
Representatives - pleaded guilty to the charges in December and was
sentenced to 15 months in prison in March.

Under the terms of his sentence, he was due to report to prison
by 15 April.

Duke was convicted of defrauding his supporters of thousands of
dollars. They sent him money after he said he had financial
problems.

Prosecutors say most of the money was spent on gambling in
casinos.

The court in New Orleans also fined Duke $10,000 and ordered that
he seek treatment for an addiction to gambling.

Duke said he intends to be a model prisoner at the low-security
Big Spring prison in western Texas.

"I'm completely willing to follow every rule, and I want to," he
said. "I have problems with the federal government, but I don't have
a problem with federal employees."

'White rights'

A former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, Duke had returned to
the US last year after promoting his National Organization for
European American Rights during a three-year tour of Europe.

Duke hit the Louisiana political scene in 1988, winning a seat as
a Republican in the Louisiana House of Representatives after running
on a "white rights" ticket.

He also stood unsuccessfully for the Senate and the Louisiana
governorship.

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SEE ALSO:

Ex-Klan chief
jailed for tax fraud
14 Mar 03  |
Americas

Ex-Klan chief
guilty of fraud
18 Dec 02  |
Americas

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