Florida abandons charges against alleged gambling ring leader

Kelly Mathis, a Florida lawyer charged with heading a $300 million nation-wide gambling ring titled Allied Veterans of the World back in 2013 (see previous reports) is now free of the matter following a decision by the state Attorney General to abandon further litigation.

Originally convicted of 103 counts of racketeering, possessing slot machines and other charges and sentenced to six years in prison, Mathis served just four days before being released on bail to pursue an appeal.

The appeals court last year ruled that Mathis deserved a new trial because his attorneys were not allowed to call certain witnesses, and last month the Florida Supreme Court rejected a request from the state Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office that it accept jurisdiction of the case.

This week prosecutor Nick Cox said in a statement the charges were dropped because his office is focusing its resources on fighting drugs and gang violence. He also noted that the state’s gambling laws have changed.

Out of 57 people arrested for their involvement with Allied, only Mathis’ case went to trial.

Mathis, whose licence to practice law has been suspended by the Florida Bar, said that he had always vowed to fight the charges to the end.