57 Indicted in Scandal: Fla. Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll Reisigns After Gambling Ring Allegations
Florida's lieutenant governor stepped down on Wednesday after investigators asked questions regarding a veteran's charity that allegedly was used as a laundering outfit for a $300 million gambling ring.
Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll became embroiled in the scandal surrounding Allied Veterans of the World, a charity dedicated to helping military veterans. They operated roughly 50 Internet cafes that contain computerized machine games when news of the investigation became public.
The charity claimed to have given the majority of the money to those in need, but investigators state that executives of the charity used the dirty money to buy mansions, boats, expensive cars and lavish trips.
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So far, authorities have arrested 57 people in connection with the illegal gambling outfit, and Florida's Attorney General Pam Bondi lambasted those involved, adding that the perpetrators' actions "insult every American who ever wore a military uniform."
"It is shameful that Allied Veterans of the World allegedly attempted to use the guise of charitable organization to help veterans in order to lend credibility to this $300 million gambling scheme," she added.
Carroll has not been charged, but did offer her resignation after investigators questioned her relationship with the charity. A public relations firm she co-owned, 3 N&JC, had previously worked for the charity, according to the Associated Press.
Carroll, a 20-year naval veteran, appeared in a 2011 television advert endorsing the charity's valuable work with the nation's veterans, but authorities did not disclose any information regarding Carroll's relationship with the charity.
Carroll did release a statement on Wednesday insisting that she had no knowledge regarding the charges levied against the charity, and that she submitted her resignation so as not to be a distraction to Gov. Rick Scott's administration.
Authorities said they seized about 300 bank accounts containing $64.7 million, in additional to several luxurious items.
Investigators are thought to formally file the charges next week which are may include racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering and possession of slot machines.
