State Government Former Lt. Gov. Carroll Admits to Ethics Violations

Former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll

TALLAHASSEE — In 2011, Jennifer Carroll was elected to serve as Lieutenant Governor under her running mate Rick Scott. In two years, her resignation was forced amid allegations of hiding contributions from an illegal gambling racket, whose ties to Carroll were revealed when an investigation into the company was ongoing.

Now, two years later, Caroll has admitted to not disclosing the nearly $100,000 received by her company 3.N. and J.C. Failure to disclose contributions is a violation of Florida ethics law. On Friday, the Florida Ethics Commission approved a settlement containing a $1,000 fine and Carroll's admission, which she maintains was an accounting error rather than an attempt to hide the contribution.

Investigators say that most of the contributed money ended up in a personal account. Carroll, a state legislator at the time of the contributions, maintains that At the time of the contributions, Carroll was a state legislator.

The company Carroll was affiliated with, Allied Veterans of the World, was brought under investigation in 2013 for running illegal gambling operations inside its Florida internet cafes, which were shut down during federal raids. The scandal also effectively shut down the internet cafe debate discussed by lawmakers throughout the state.

Though the investigation saw 57 arrested and charged with racketeering and possessing illegal slot machines, the only one convicted was Jacksonville lawyer Kelly Mathis.