SANFORD, Fla. (AP) - Some of the 57 Allied Veterans of the World defendants are in court in Sanford to set the schedule for their upcoming trials and to enter pleas.
About a half dozen defendants are in court Friday to find out how they will move ahead with their criminal proceedings.
The Allied Veterans defendants are charged with using a veterans charity as a front for an almost $300 million gambling operation.
Among the defendants expected in court on Friday are Kelly Mathis, the Jacksonville lawyer who prosecutors say helped set up the Allied Veterans affiliates and Jerry Bass, the group's commander.
The investigation into Allied Veterans led to the resignation of former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll after she was interviewed during the probe. She has denied wrongdoing and wasn't charged.
