SC man among leaders arrested in FL gambling probe

(AP) Authorities say a South Carolina man is among the leaders of a veterans charity accused of operating a $300 million illegal gambling ring.

Family members say Johnny Duncan is outgoing, friendly and did nothing wrong. But the former national commander for the veterans charity, Allied Veterans of the World, does have a checkered past.

Duncan pleaded no contest in Florida more than two decades ago to setting up a fake charity, called Army Navy Union, to sponsor bingo games. He was sentenced to six months of probation and ordered not to operate bingo games in Florida.

Duncan was among 50 people arrested last week. Allied Veterans is accused of running nearly 50 illegal gambling parlors. Authorities say group leaders gave little to charity and spent millions on themselves.