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SANFORD, Fla. (Associated Press) - A Jacksonville attorney who prosecutors claim was the mastermind of a veterans' charity that actually was a $300 million gambling operation was in court asking that some of his criminal charges be tossed out.
Kelly Mathis was in a Seminole County courtroom Monday, trying to convince a Florida judge to dismiss money laundering charges he faces.
Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester didn't immediately rule.
Mathis faces more than 200 charges but that number could be reduced to just over 150 charges if the money laundering counts are dropped.
His attorney argued that he received fees from the Allied Veterans affiliates for legal work. His attorney also said if the money laundering charges are allowed to move forward, it will have a chilling effect on how lawyers are paid.
