Lawyer in Allied Veterans Gambling Case Sentenced: Faces Dozens of Years Jail time

SANFORD, Fla. (Associated Press) - An attorney for a veterans group that prosecutors say was a $300 million gambling operation is being sentenced for his conviction on 103 counts.

Kelly Mathis faces dozens of years in prison during his sentencing hearing Wednesday.

He was convicted last year for possessing slot machines, helping operate a lottery and racketeering.

Mathis contends he was only giving legal advice to Allied Veterans of the World. Other Allied Veterans leaders, who reached plea deals with prosecutors, also face sentencing Wednesday.

Prosecutors say Mathis and his associates built up the network of casinos by claiming they were businesses where customers could buy Internet time, when in reality they were slot machine games.

Arrests in the Allied Veterans case last year led to the resignation of Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll.