The state of Florida announced it will drop charges against Jacksonville attorney Kelly Mathis, who in 2013 was convicted of 103 counts of racketeering and possessing slot machines and sentenced to six years in prison in connection with the Allied Veterans of the World scandal. Mathis was the only one of the 57 people arrested to go to trial in the 2013 case.
Last year an appeals court ruled Mathis, who had been the company’s attorney, deserved a new tribal because his attorneys were not allowed to call defense witness. Last month the Florida Supreme Court declined to hear the case, meaning the state could order a new trial or drop the charges.
Statewide Prosecutor Nicholas Cox said the state’s “current priorities are fighting synthetic drugs, illegal opioids, human trafficking and gang violence. I feel that we should focus our resources on these priorities for the best interest in the state of Florida.” Cox also noted Allied Veterans no longer is in business.
Allied Veterans of the World operated a network of internet cafes that were revealed to cover for a $300 million gambling ring. It gave a minimal percentage to veterans while owners bought yachts, beachfront condos and luxury autos. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said the alleged scam “insults every American who ever wore a military uniform.”
Mathis said, “I vowed to prove my innocence and establish that I had not done anything wrong. I’m pleased now with the outcome.”
As a result of the case, the Florida legislature passed a law banning internet cafes in 2013. However, several have reopened without issue. In Jacksonville, for example, the city used to regulate the cafes and require special permits and inspections for them to operate. Currently, a spokesperson said, the city no longer regulates the businesses and leaves it to the police or state officials to address concerns about them. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said the department realizes several of the shuttered cafes have reopened, but could not discuss any active investigations.
Regarding internet cafes reopening, Mathis said, “It’s frustrating. It makes me wonder exactly what the objective was at the beginning and why in four years they haven’t done anything about that. For some reason, my clients and I were singled out.”
