Man pleads guilty to using phone cards in gambling operation

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Prosecutors say a 40-year-old Columbia man who fought South Carolina for years has admitted his phone card business was actually an illegal gambling operation.

Larry Flynn pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to operating a gambling business and tax evasion. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $350,000 fine when he is sentenced at a later date.

Floyd ran Magic Minutes, a South Carolina company that sold phone cards, allowing the buyer to use them to play blackjack, poker and other illegal gambling games to try and win money.

Flynn for years claimed the machines were legal under South Carolina law.

Authorities also say Flynn didn’t file tax returns in 2011 and 2012 and used cash to pay his employees and expenses including travel, entertainment and drugs.