The Cost of Speaking Out

“They didn’t just come after me. They went after my family.” Karel Manasco

When Karel Manasco refused to continue signing off payments, conceal tax exposure or suppress evidence of unlawful activity inside Mansion Group, the company’s reaction was not a quiet termination or negotiation. Instead, it set off a series of events that would span jurisdictions, involve freezing orders, criminal complaints in Spain and what he describes as a calculated attempt to “crush” his ability to defend himself.

This chapter is not about spreadsheets or structures. It’s about a man fighting to protect his name while shielding his wife and children from legal crossfire.

From CEO to Defendant

In 2022, Mansion Gibraltar and Onisac Limited filed civil proceedings against Manasco in the Supreme Court of Gibraltar. At the same time, Mansion Iberico in Spain moved to initiate criminal proceedings. According to Manasco, these two prongs were coordinated, designed to isolate him, drain his resources and break his will.

“I wasn’t just up against a company. I was up against a legal machine with unlimited money, multiple law firms and support from officials who refused to act.”

In court filings, Manasco alleges that key figures inside Mansion deliberately withheld his work emails and business records, leaving him unable to adequately defend himself.

“They wanted me to prove things from memory: ten years of contracts, transfers and board discussions. All while refusing to hand over the very documents I created.”

A Spanish judge later ordered Mansion to release his full email inbox. The company, Manasco says, appealed immediately to block the disclosure.

The Family Fallout

As the civil case escalated, the personal cost became clearer. Manasco says his family became the next target.

“The pressure campaign extended to Spain, where Mansion began proceedings not just against me, but also targeted my wife and associates. It wasn’t about justice, it was retaliation.”

According to his statement, even Hassans law firm, which had previously acted on behalf of Mansion, was named in Spanish filings.

In his view, these tactics were never about recovering funds or resolving disputes. They were designed to ensure that anyone with knowledge of internal operations remained silent or discredited.

The Silence of the Authorities

Manasco’s allegations, if true, would typically trigger scrutiny from regulators. Yet in this case, no such response came.

His complaints to Gibraltar’s Gaming Commissioner and the Data Protection Commissioner were both declined. Despite clear statutory mandates, neither office agreed to investigate.

“The Gaming Commissioner simply looked away. So did the Information Commissioner. It became obvious to me that those meant to protect the system had no intention of disrupting it.”

In the background, similar scandals were unfolding. UK-listed gaming giant Entain (formerly GVC Holdings) had been fined nearly £600 million for running unlicensed B2B operations in Turkey. Manasco alleges that Mansion’s B2B setup (involving Casino Midas and entities like Apollo and Violet Star) was nearly identical in structure and purpose.

“The Entain case showed the scale of what was possible. Mansion did the same, but no one in Gibraltar lifted a finger.”

Both Albert and Peter Isola, prominent legal and political figures in Gibraltar, are named in related contexts. Albert Isola served as Gaming Minister during the years Mansion operated its alleged offshore structure. Peter Isola, a former director at Entain, was also tied to the Isolas law firm, which represents Mansion.

A Chilling Pattern

Manasco outlines a timeline that paints a troubling picture:

• February 2021: A secret meeting is allegedly held between Mansion’s UBOs and legal advisers, without inviting him.
• March–August 2023: Mansion shuts down operations in Canada, Spain, Gibraltar and Bulgaria.
• Throughout 2023: Civil and criminal actions escalate against Manasco and his inner circle.

“They closed everything, fast. Not because of losses, but to limit exposure. The same pattern happened in 2015, when the French regulator started asking questions about Casino Midas.”

He claims that the real reason for the closures was fear of regulatory scrutiny similar to what Entain had faced.

Living with the Fallout

To this day, Manasco maintains that he did not initiate litigation. His goal was to move on, but he says Mansion made that impossible.

“They wanted to shut me down: legally, professionally and personally. I wasn’t the only one with knowledge of what happened. But I may have been the only one who refused to play along.”

What began as a high-level role in a promising international business ended in what he describes as betrayal, retaliation and abandonment!

In the final part of this series, we’ll examine the alleged financial practices inside Mansion, including the multimillion-dollar payments to the Sampoernas, the manipulation of affiliate payouts and the Canadian jackpot scandal that, according to Manasco, left a winner defrauded and the company’s owners richer.

Legal Disclaimer

The information presented in this article is based on sworn statements filed by Karel Christian Manasco in the Supreme Court of Gibraltar as part of civil proceedings in Case No. 2022-ORD-074. These statements, including affidavits and amendment applications submitted by Mr Manasco, reflect his personal testimony and allegations.

No conclusions of fact have yet been reached by the court and all individuals or entities mentioned are presumed innocent unless and until proven otherwise in a court of law. Malta-Media has reviewed these documents in the public interest and makes no independent claims as to the truth of the allegations.

FAQs

Who is Karel Manasco?
Karel Manasco is the former CEO of Mansion Group who alleges retaliation and legal targeting after refusing to cover up unlawful activities.

What allegations did Manasco make against Mansion Group?
He claims the company engaged in misconduct, including concealing tax exposure, suppressing evidence, and using legal tactics to silence him.

Why did Mansion Group take legal action against Manasco?
According to Manasco, the legal actions were retaliatory, aimed at isolating him, depleting his resources, and preventing him from defending himself.

What impact did the legal battle have on Manasco’s family?
Manasco states that Mansion extended legal actions to target his wife and close associates, causing significant personal stress and hardship.

Were any authorities involved or responsive to Manasco’s claims?
Despite complaints, both Gibraltar’s Gaming Commissioner and the Data Protection Commissioner declined to investigate the allegations.

What does Manasco allege about Mansion’s international operations?
He alleges the company operated unlicensed B2B gaming structures similar to those that led to major fines for other firms like Entain.

What happened to Mansion’s operations in 2023?
Manasco claims Mansion abruptly shut down operations in several countries to avoid regulatory scrutiny, not due to financial losses.

What legal evidence supports Manasco’s story?
His allegations are based on sworn affidavits and court documents filed in the Supreme Court of Gibraltar as part of civil proceedings.

What does Manasco say about internal emails and documentation?
He alleges Mansion withheld key documents, including his own emails, hindering his ability to defend himself in court.

Has any court ruled on these allegations?
No. The case is ongoing, and no final conclusions or findings have been made. All parties are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.