BRADENTON, Fla. – The resignation of Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll was announced Wednesday amid a sweeping multi-state racketeering investigation into alleged illegal Internet café gambling operations by Allied Veterans of the World.
Though it is not clear if Carroll will be charged, officials indicated that other elected officials could be implicated as their investigation continues.
Carroll was questioned by investigators Monday about her link to Allied Veterans, a nonprofit Florida-based organization. She owned a public relations firm that represented the organization.
Though Carroll submitted her resignation Tuesday, it was not made public until Wednesday after local, state and federal investigators arrested 49 individuals linked to Allied Veterans. Investigators would not comment on Carroll’s resignation citing the ongoing investigation.
Most of the arrests occurred in Florida, though investigators linked Allied’s operations to South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Prosecutors said they were in the process of seizing 292 bank accounts as well as more than 100 properties, including homes and vehicles.
While the initial focus of the inquiry was on Allied, officials called it “the first wave” of their investigation into what they believe are other illegal Internet gambling operations.
