Fla. attorney who led gambling ring gets 6 years

Editor's note: This Shark believes the Probate Court of Cook County has defrauded countless helpless victims and their families of untold millions of dollars.     Feb 12, 1:44 PM EST Fla. attorney who led gambling ring gets 6 years By MIKE SCHNEIDER Associated Press

US Video Buy AP Photo Reprints Multimedia Who Volunteers? A State-by-State Look SANFORD, Fla. (AP) -- An attorney convicted of leading a $300 million gambling ring that used a veterans charity as a front has been sentenced to 6 years in prison. Jacksonville attorney Kelly Mathis was sentenced Wednesday after a Florida judge listened to character witnesses describe the lawyer as a man of integrity who loved his family. Mathis' attorneys argued that he should be spared prison given he only provided legal advice to Allied Veterans of America. But Statewide Prosecutor Nick Cox says Mathis deserved prison for engaging in deception. Cox says Mathis was responsible for marrying the gambling operation with the veterans charity. Mathis was convicted last year of 103 counts of racketeering, possessing slot machines and other charges. He will remain free on bond pending appeals.