Conviction overturned for Jacksonville attorney in Allied Veterans of the World scandal

The mastermind of the $300 million internet café gambling scheme has had his conviction overturned.

Jacksonville attorney Kelly Mathis was sentenced to six years in prison for the Allied Veterans of the World gaming scam that brought down many well-known leaders, including the president and vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police.

The decision by Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeals to throw out Kelly Mathis’ conviction and ordering a new trial was made Friday.

In February of 2014, Mathis was sentenced to six years in prison on one count of racketeering and other charges, including possession of an illegal slot machine.

Prosecutors claimed Mathis was the mastermind of the $300 million gambling operation by Allied Veterans of the World.

Officials arrested 60 people when the internet cafes were shut down in 2013, including the heads of the local police union.

Everyone agreed to plea deals and most escaped jail time, except Mathis, who fought the charges, insisting he was not involved in the scheme and only served as the groups lawyer.

Among other things, the appeals court decision said essentially prosecutors didn’t present evidence that showed Mathis was acting as anything other than an attorney for Allied Veterans of the World.

Cox Media Group