The former president of a Port Authority union admitted in court yesterday that he embezzled over $300,000 in order to pay for hookers and casino sprees. Daniel Hughes, 49, the former head of the Field Supervisor Association, Local 111-S, had been funneling cash from his union via the union's ATM card and personal checks since 2005, in order to, as the Post so lovingly puts it, "feed his carnal and gastronomic appetites."

Hughes was caught this past December, and resigned in January after he essentially bankrupted the account for the 250 union members, most of whom perform roadway and tarmac work at Port Authority airports. According to Port Authority Deputy Inspector General Michael Nestor, "Hughes used his union’s funds as his own personal piggy bank." When improprieties were noticed in the union's financial books last year, and investigation led to a paper trail of bank withdrawals and canceled checks that showed Hughes was spending money on high-priced hookers ($400-500 per date) and hotel rooms, as well as trips to gambling mecca Mohegan Sun.

Hughes told Federal Judge Eric Vitaliano that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, has been hospitalized for depression—"I've been institutionalized a few times"— and recently underwent stomach reduction surgery (he currently weighs something between 350-400 pounds). He faces between 46 and 57 months in prison if convicted. With all of that sloppy paper trail, he probably should have sought some advice from a seasoned pro.