NEW YORK (AP) - A man who processed money illegally for three Internet poker companies whose U.S. operations were shut down has been sentenced in New York to five months in prison by a judge who says he played a "catch me if you can" game with the government.

Las Vegas resident Chad Elie was sentenced Wednesday by federal Judge Lewis Kaplan. The judge says evidence showed Elie didn't really care he was committing crimes even after he realized others in the online poker conspiracy were getting arrested.

Elie pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and to operate illegal gambling businesses. He must forfeit $500,000.

The judge says the criminal case against those involved in online poker has revealed a "reckless spitting in the eye of the government" by defendants.