(Source: MIRS.news, Published 09/19/2024) Republican House candidate Ronald William Robinson doesn't spend a lot of time talking about his gambling addiction that led to a misdemeanor conviction decades ago. 

But, he also doesn't shy away from embracing the lessons learned through what he calls an "embarrassing" moment in his past.  

"I had a bad gambling problem," he said. "I took money from my employer to pay a gambling debt . . . It was a stupid error. I was in a bad way. My mom was diagnosed with cancer. 

"I just got out of the Marines and I had a gambling problem. I made a bad choice. … The kid who made those decisions doesn't exist anymore," Robinson said, adding that since that time he's lived a crime-free life and has shown that he can be trusted. 

The incumbent in House District 58, Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights), did not return MIRS' request for comment on his 1994 convictions in Polk County, Iowa, for misdemeanor possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. A record obtained by MIRS shows he failed to disclose the convictions on an application to L'Anse Creuse Public Schools in 2010. 

The application asks: "Have you ever been convicted of a crime, other than a minor traffic violation?" Shannon answered: "No." 

According to Polk County court records, Shannon was ordered to pay $180 in fines and costs. 

Robinson's Struggle 

Robinson was about 22 or 23 when he faced his gambling addiction, which included what he describes as a "come to Jesus" talk from his father and the theft of money from his employer. 

Court records show that in July 1992, Robinson was charged with embezzlement of $100 or less and in November 1996 he pleaded guilty.  

Robinson was given a six-month deferred sentence in which he was ordered to pay $220 in restitution and bond. Once paid, the case was dismissed, according to court records. 

"It's a part of my life I'm not proud of but at the same time, the fall out of it created the human being who cocooned into who I am now," Robinson said. "It's embarrassing, sure, but am I embarrassed by it? No. I don't know I'd be as solid of a human being now if I hadn't gone through those tough times." 

Since then, Robinson, who is a husband and father of three adult children, said he's lived an exemplary life. He currently serves on the Utica City Council and served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a military police officer. 

Robinson is a graduate of Specs Howard School of Broadcast and operates his own photography and video production company, Ron Robinson Studios, after spending more than 20 years in radio broadcast. His tenure included time at WJR Radio and KMAG 99.1, according to his Facebook page. 

Robinson also recently published a documentary, "Radio Dayz … 101 Years of Radio," about the history of radio, a project he said took him eight years. 

Robinson bested Roger Goodrich 67.9 percent to 32.1 percent to secure the Republican nomination in the Aug. 6 primary. 

Rather, it is the incumbent's voting record that spearheaded his desire to run for office. Robinson said Shannon ran as a moderate, but his voting record doesn't reflect that stance. 

"I don't think he's representing his district," Robinson said.  

When asked to be specific, Robinson said he disagreed with "the fact (Shannon) took away 90 percent of spending for safety and mental health and schools to pay for pet projects." 

When asked, Robinson said about himself: "I am a person who has high morals and I practice what I preach."