Student pleads guilty in robbery to pay gambling debt

Greg Hogan, Lehigh University sophomore class president and son of a Baptist minister, pled guilty this week to charges stemming from a bank robbery he committed in December to pay off online gambling debts.

He struck a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to one felony charge with a possible three-year sentence.


At the time of the robbery, Hogan had $5,000 in online poker debts. He was studying for a double major at the university and was indulging in online poker when the hobby turned into a dangerous problem as he racked up debts.

On Dec. 9, Hogan resorted to bank robbery to help cover those debts. According to authorities, Hogan's friend drove him to a local Wachovia Bank branch in Bethlehem, Penn., where he entered the bank and handed a note to a teller claiming he was carrying a gun and demanding money. He left the bank with $2,871 and got back into his friend's car, who then left not knowing what had just happened.

Hogan, who didn't actually have a weapon and wore no mask during the robbery, was arrested just hours after the robbery. He admitted to the crime after his arrest and was released on bail. Since then he's also been treated for his poker addiction.

Sentencing in the case is scheduled for Aug. 17.

News Added: 12 July, 2006

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