JSO Union Chief Nelson Cuba and other arrested for racketeering?

[Cheshire Cat]

It is beginning to look like Nelson Cuba and Freitas may be collecting their pensions behind bars.

[Cheshire Cat]

Sheriff Rutherford states that the JSO was involved in this since 2007 with focus on Cuba and Freitas.  2010 US Attorneys office contacted them to create a joint operation called "Reveal the Deal".  Six states, 23 Florida counties

[Cheshire Cat]

Photo's of Yacht's and luxury cars seized have been shared by the Sheriff Rutherford. 

[Cheshire Cat]

FDLE also a part of investigation.  Many other places being investigated. 

[Cheshire Cat]

From T.U. with updates:

Authorities said four co-conspirators received more than $90 million from the internet cafes: attorney Kelly Mathis, 49, of Jacksonville, organization chairman Jerry Bass, 62, of Jacksonville, Johnny Duncan, 62 of Boiling Springs, S.C., and Chase Burns, 37, of Fort Cobb, Oklahoma.

Mathis, who represents Allied Veterans, was described by officials as the operation’s “mastermind.” Authorities said Mathis profited $7 million from the scheme. Bass is the national commander of Allied Veterans, based in St. Augustine.

Another 53 conspirators hid a combined $194 million in gambling proceeds, authorities sai

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-03-13/story/57-arrest-warrants-issued-allied-veterans-300-million-racketeering#ixzz2NSDRYltl

[fieldafm]

Just throwing in a 'I told you so' as I've been saying these things are illegal gambling businessses for years.  John Rutherford has been unwavering in his pursuit of justice to shut these things down and deserves quite a bit of praise in my opinion.

City Council had no backbone at all when they decided not to ban these internet cafes almost two years ago now, instead choosing to keep the political money machine happy and 'compromising'.  Even Jake Godbold lobbied Council on behalf of Allied Veterans.

I certainly realize that I am not the most perfect person but what a complete and utter disgrace!!!!

[Cheshire Cat]

Jake had his reasons to lobby for them.

The following is a list of those arrested and with warrants.

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403169/times-union/2013-03-13/list-operation-reveal-deal-suspects

[Cheshire Cat]

Wait until we get to the real estate part of this investigation.  It will be eye opening.

[Cheshire Cat]

It keeps getting worse.

Cuba and Freitas funneled money through the FOP Foundation Account.
Also used was a Enzyme Enterprises (not sure of spelling)

Their bond hearings are tomorrow.

[Dog Walker]

CC, I think the proper word would be "laundered" not "funneled".

[Cheshire Cat]

Laundered is appropriate.  So let's talk amounts.

Through a shell company that both Cuba and Freitas were principals in $571,000

Through an agency called Jax FOP Foundations opened by Nelson Cuba  $465,971

Apparently amounts just under those required for reporting were withdrawn on a weekly basis.  $7,000.00, $9,000.00  per week.

[Cheshire Cat]

More from T.U.

“This comes as a blow to us,” said foundation vice president Ray Reid, who said Cuba had handled many matters directly.

Reid, a lawyer, said the board met about once a year.

They need to meet and understand its condition, he said, noting that its primary fundraiser event, the Guns and Hoses boxing matches between police and firefighters, is scheduled in about a month.

Mike Hightower, who has been listed on FOP Foundation tax documents as a director since 2010 and on the organization’s website, said he didn’t even know he was on the board.

Hightower said he remembers being asked but he never attended a meeting.

The only officers listed for Allied Veterans â€" national commander Jerry Bass, senior vice commander Mike Hessong and treasurer Michael David â€" were jailed Wednesday.


Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2013-03-13/story/fop-foundation-allied-veterans-linked-90000-donations#ixzz2NTZVlsxI

[Shine]

I seem to remember Internet Cafes being an issue before the Jax City Council a few years back and I distinctly remember when Jerry Bass came to the podium making his pitch that he was running a “sweepstakes.”  I remembered it all this time because I just could not figure out how in the world something like this would be legal.  Bass did not strike me as believable even back then.

Overall, sad story all around.  Ripping off veterans â€" low as it goes.

[urbanlibertarian]

The tax fraud and money laundering issues have little to do with whether or not it was legal gambling.

[Cheshire Cat]

The tax fraud and money laundering issues have little to do with whether or not it was legal gambling.

I think this will be the basis of much argument.  The investigators and prosecutors have taken the stance that it was illegal and are prepared to prove that.

The legality of the gambling is just one of the charges here.  Another one is the issue of whether or not Allied Veteran's of the Worlds indeed operated as a legal non profit and dispensed appropriate funding according to what is required by law.