Santa Monica Man Ran Illegal Gambling Business, Hid $13.5 Million From IRS: Authorities

SANTA MONICA, CA — A Santa Monica man pleaded guilty Tuesday to running an illegal gambling business, tax evasion and money laundering, according to authorities.

Christopher Scott King faces up to five years in prison for each count of tax evasion, operating an illegal gambling operation and accepting a financial instrument for unlawful internet gambling, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. He faces up to 10 years for money laundering, authorities said.

King ran an illegal bookmaking business and working out of Los Angeles County used a sports betting website based in Costa Rica to facilitate bettors wagering on sporting events in violation of state and federal law, authorities said.

He hid over $13.5 million in income from the Internal Revenue Service between 2019 and 2022, underreporting his income by millions, according to the department, which said he caused a tax loss to the service of $3.8 million.

He laundered his money by channeling it through real estate development projects and gold, authorities said.

As part of his plea, he agreed to pay $10 million in a personal money judgment of forfeiture, authorities said. He is set to be sentenced on Sept. 9, according to the department.