News » Law & Legislation » News Bite: US Gov Frees PokerStars Funds

This Article

118 In this Series

Lederer Settlement Angers Players

Blowing Steam: Many players are incensed over the settlement DoJ prosecutors agreed to with Howard Lederer.

Howard Lederer Settles Black Friday Civil Lawsuit

Former Full Tilt Director settles Black Friday complaint with the United States Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York.

Absolute Poker Players Not Likely to Receive Excess Full Tilt Funds

AP and UB players shouldn't count on reimbursement from an excess of funds in the Full Tilt remission process.

Rafe Furst Settles Claims in Black Friday Case

Rafe Furst admits no guilt but agrees to forfeit funds in settling the Black Friday charges levied against him by U.S. Attorneys.

The Fall & Rise of Full Tilt Poker

An infographic that tells the story of the Full Tilt Saga.

DoJ Says FTP Claims Administrator to be Hired by January

A Claims Administrator to facilitate payment to U.S. Full Tilt players will be in place by January, the DOJ announced.

"The Howard Lederer Show" as Told by Chad Elie

Convicted payment processor Chad Elie tells all in an interview, including his time spent with Howard Lederer.

Petition to Ban Howard Lederer Circulates Online

A petition to ban Howard Lederer from playing poker at Las Vegas casinos is now being circulated throughout the world wide web.

Howard Lederer Seeks Dismissal of Charges

Howard Lederer seeks to dismiss the civil allegations against him in U.S. v. PokerStars.

Players Petition to Ban Howard Lederer from Aria Poker Room

Aria poker room regulars are circulating a petition seeking to ban Howard Lederer from playing live poker.

PPA: US Full Tilt Repayment 'Long Way Away'

The meeting between PPA reps and DoJ officials did not go well for U.S. Full Tilt players hoping to soon be reunited with their funds.

PPA and DoJ Set for Meeting

News Bite: The Poker Players Alliance and the Department of Justice will meet on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing remission process for US players.

Chad Elie Tweeting Unseen Black Friday Documents

Convicted Black Friday payment processor Chad Elie has been releasing documents via Twitter.

Lederer's Return to Poker Angers Players

Howard Lederer has re-entered the poker community, despite the anger of players over the Full Tilt saga.

Payment Processor Given Five Months in Prison

Chad Elie, who pleaded guilty in March, was sentenced to five months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan.

Howard Lederer Cancels Interview, Stops Talking

Howard Lederer canceled a scheduled interview due to stress taking its toll on both him and his family.

Howard Lederer Keeps Talking

Following his coming out on "The Lederer Files," Howard Lederer has scheduled more interviews on the poker media circuit.

Full Tilt Payment Processor Cops Guilty Plea

Nelson Burtnick pleads guilty to tricking banks into processing transactions for online poker sites.

Howard Lederer Breaks Silence

Howard Lederer tells all about the Full Tilt debacle in a candid interview to be released in segments beginning Tuesday, Sept. 18.

New Charges Filed Against Full Tilt Defendants

The DoJ filed a Second Amended Civil Complaint against the Full Tilt defendants that includes new charges intended to seize assets under forfeiture proceedings.

Poker As Skill Ruling Prompts Full Tilt Defendants To Request Meeting With Judge

Lederer, Furst and Ferguson hoping to use poker as skill ruling in defense of their case.

Help Wanted At DoJ: Full Tilt Claims Administrator

DoJ seeking to hire Claims Administrator to facilitate payments to Full Tilt's U.S. players.

PPA in Overdrive on Behalf of Players

Poker Players Alliance is working overtime on reimbursement of Full Tilt players and urging federal online poker regulations.

PokerStars Pays DoJ $225 Million; Deal Moves Forward

PokerStars pays DoJ $225 million as part of the first of four payments in the agreement to acquire the assets of Full Tilt Poker.

Black Friday Saved Full Tilt Players

Without the Black Friday indictments, players at Full Tilt may not have ever been reimbursed.

DOJ Uncomfortable Paying Poker Winnings?

U.S. Department of Justice may take issue with reimbursing Full Tilt players their entire account balances.

PPA Reaction To PokerStars/DOJ/Full Tilt Deal

PPA is ecstatic over PokerStars/DoJ/Full Tilt deal that will reimburse players, but still urges Congress to enact legislation allowing Americans to play online poker in a regulated environment.

Ray Bitar Officially Says Goodbye To Full Tilt

Full Tilt's Ray Bitar issues statement bidding farewell to the company he founded.

PokerStars Acquires Full Tilt Poker assets

Pokerstars acquires FTP in a $731m deal which will see outstanding player balances returned!

Full Tilt Sale To PokerStars Rumors Heat Up Again

Rumors are again circulating that the sale of Full Tilt to PokerStars is a sure thing.

Judge Doles Out Stiff Sentence To Black Friday Payment Processor Ira Rubin

Payment processor Ira Rubin sentenced to three years behind bars with the judge convinced that his life of crime is far from over.

Absolute Poker VP Dealt 14 Months Behind Bars

Brent Beckley, an Absolute Poker vice president, received 14 months in prison after admitting to illegally processing payments between banks and the online poker site.

Civil Charges Against Bitar On Hold While Criminal Charges Go Forward

Full Tilt's Ray Bitar will answer the criminal charges against him while the civil proceedings are put on hold.

Pokerstars Offer to Buy FTP Rumoured to be 'Bluff'

Former Party Legal Counsel claims Pokerstars FTP takeover is a clever 'Bluff'

Full Tilt Board Members Seek Dismissal of Black Friday Charges

Full Tilt board members Rafe Furst, Howard Lederer and Chris Ferguson file motions to dismiss the Black Friday allegations.

Ray Bitar Posts Bail; Granted Release From Jail

Ray Bitar posts bond and is granted his release from custody after seven days behind bars.

Prosecutors Appeal Bail To Keep Bitar Locked Up

Prosecutors file a motion for pretrial detention in an effort to keep Ray Bitar incarcerated until trial.

Ray Bitar Pleads Not Guilty; $2.5 Million Bail Set

Full Tilt CEO Ray Bitar pleads not guilty at arraignment and hints toward imminent takeover of Full Tilt by PokerStars.

Full Tilt's Ray Bitar Surrenders To Feds

Ray Bitar surrenders to federal authorities in U.S. and faces a maximum of 145 years in prison in a superseding indictment.

Full Tilt Player Reimbursement Scheme To Be Announced At End Of May

An announcement regarding the reimbursement of player funds, as well as the acquisition negotiations between PokerStars, Full Tilt and the DOJ, is expected at the end of May.

Tapie Planning New Online Poker Site

Laurent Tapie sends an email to Pocket Kings' employees asking them to sign on with him in launching a new online poker site.

Tapie to create new, independent poker site?

Tapie E-mail reveals audacious plans to recruit key FTP employees to build and operate new market player.

Tapie Shafted In Full Tilt Purchase?

Did Group Bernard Tapie get played by the DOJ in Full Tilt acquisition negotiations?

Ironic Howard Lederer on 'Business Ethics' Video

In astonishingly ironic fashion, Howard Lederer talks about honesty and ethics in this newly emerged video.

Pokerstars purchase Full Tilt Poker

Unofficial widespread reports state that Pokerstars have completed the takeover of FTP for $750m.

Black Friday Snitch Seen In New York

Daniel Tzvetkoff, the payment processor responsible for the Black Friday allegations that forever changed online poker , was seen on a New York City street.

Campos' Plea Deal Accepted By Judge

Judge signs order accepting plea agreement of guilt to a lone misdemeanor charge for Black Friday payment processor John Campos.

One Year Since Black Friday and Still No Cash

The one-year anniversary of Black Friday is here and players from Full Tilt, Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet have yet to be paid.

Howard Lederer and Chris Ferguson Face New Class Action Lawsuit

Full Tilt Directors are named in a new class action civil lawsuit filed in Nevada District Court.

PPA Marks Black Friday Anniversary With New Campaign

Poker Players Alliance launches new campaign entitled "The Players Will Never Fold" to mark Black Friday's one-year anniversary.

Campos and Elie Enter Guilty Plea Deal for Black Friday Charges

Despite a highly anticipated trial set for April 9th, both men have just reached plea agreements in their respective cases and will avoid a day in court.

Daniel Tzvetkoff to testify in Black Friday case

Daniel Tzvetkoff, a man whose fall from grace was quite spectacular, is set to testify in court against those indicted on Black Friday.

FTP Takeover Deal Nearing Completion?

Sources suggest completion of deal by the end of next week.

New Interests In Full Tilt Acquisition?

Poker operators and private equity firm rumored to attempt deal should GBT takeover fail.

Bitar Gives Little Away

Former Full Tilt boss makes an appearance to offer public apology but reveals next to nothing about events behind the scenes.

Lindgren: Unpaid Fantasy Draft Debts

Former Full-Tilt Pro accused of not settling bets by TwoPlusTwo thread.

Elie/Campos Motions Of Dimiss Denied By Judge

Alleged payment processors still to stand trial in April.

Juanda/Dwan - Big Figures But Working With GBT

Possibility of some Full Tilt Pros helping GBT over player debts.

GBT Lawyer Says Matusow Owes $700k

GBT's attorney gives full amount owed by Matusow, who states otherwise.

Full Tilt - Spoke Too Soon?

Another setback could possibly put the deal on hold.

News Bite - Full Tilt Poker - March 1st?

A deal has been agreed by Full Tilt and the DOJ, with a possible relaunch date included.

Chris Ferguson Possible Reason For Full Tilt Delay

Chris Ferguson has been named as the reason for the delays on the Full Tilt takeover.

Rubin Pleads Guilty To Charges On "Black Friday"

Ira Rubin accepts charges of money laundering, bank and wire fraud and gambling offences.

Group Bernard Tapie Last Minute Spanish Licence Application

Group Bernard Tapie submitted an application for a Spanish licence just hours before the midnight deadline that passed a few days ago.

Indicted Sites Receive Further Extension

The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York has given Full Tilt, PokerStars and Absolute Poker until January 2, 2012 to respond to the amended civil complaint issued on September 20.

GBT Signs Agreement with DOJ

The Department of Justice has signed an agreement with Groupe Bernard Tapie taking the latter one step closer to completing its acquisition of Full Tilt Poker.

Full Tilt Files Claims for Player Funds

Full Tilt and associated companies have filed claims for close to $100 million in player funds.

News Bite: Full Tilt Execs Sign Waivers of Service

Bitar, Ferguson, Lederer and Furst will not have to appear in court to acknowledge the complaints against them.

Regulators Close SunFirst Bank

SunFirst Bank, whose former vice chairman John Campos was indicted on Black Friday, has been shut down by Utah regulators almost seven months after the April 15 indictments.

US Department of Justice Responds to Campos and Elie

The US Department of Justice has filed its response to the pre-trial motions to dismiss by John Campos and Chad Elie.

News Bite: Indicted Sites Receive Further Extension

Full Tilt, PokerStars and Absolute Poker have until the end of November to respond to the amended civil complaint issued on September 20.

News Bite: Tapie Expects Final Agreement in 15 Days

A final agreement between Groupe Bernard Tapie and the Department of Justice is expected to be signed "within 15 days," according to Laurent Tapie.

Tapies Reach Agreement with DOJ

The US Department of Justice and Groupe Bernard Tapie have reached an agreement that allows for the repayment of players worldwide.

News Bite: US Gov Waives Filing Time Limits for Swiss Accounts

The US government will "waive all filing time limits" on the claim of assets from bank accounts seized in Switzerland, according to a letter by US Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.

News Bite: Pocket Kings Axes 180 Jobs

According to sources close to the company, Pocket Kings has laid off at least 180 employees in Dublin.

Another Class Action Suit

Lary Kennedy and Greg Omotoy have filed a class action lawsuit against Full Tilt, its board members, pros and lawyers.

News Bite: AGCC Makes Correction

The AGCC has corrected a prior statement pertaining to funds seized by the Department of Justice.

Another $2 million Seized

The US government has seized $2 million in funds believed to be tied to the Black Friday and Blue Monday indictments.

$20 Million Seized in Swiss Accounts

More than 18 million Swiss francs (approximately $20 million) was seized by the courts of Geneva on September 26, reports La Tribune de Genève.

Tzvetkoff is Feds' Star Witness

Daniel Tzvetkoff will be called on by the Feds to testify against PokerStars, Full Tilt and Absolute Poker.

Cardroom International and Others File Claims

Cardroom International and the Commonwealth of Kentucky filed asset claims on September 30.

Full Tilt Financing May Involve Player Investment

The acquisition of Full Tilt by Groupe Bernard Tapie could involve offering equity stakes to customers with the largest balances online.

News Bite: AGCC Distances Itself from Full Tilt

The Alderney Gaming Control Commission (AGCC) has released a statement further distancing itself from Full Tilt.

Campos and Elie File Motions to Dismiss

John Campos and Chad Elie have filed motions to dismiss the civil complaints against them.

News Bite: Indicted Sites Must Respond by Month's End

Full Tilt, PokerStars and Absolute Poker have been given until October 31 to respond to the amended civil complaint.

Bernard Tapie Seeks Small Stake

Bernard Tapie says that if a deal is completed, he only expects to retain a 5-10% stake in Full Tilt.

News Bite: Another Class Action Suit

Merchant Law Group of Canada has filed a class action lawsuit against Full Tilt.

News Bite: Bitar Files Claim

Ray Bitar has filed a claim against seized assets

Laurent Tapie Speaks Up

Laurent Tapie speaks to iGaming France in his first interview since announcing an acquisition agreement with Full Tilt.

Full Tilt Signs Acquisition Agreement

Groupe Bernard Tapie has signed an exclusive agreement to acquire Full Tilt and all of its associated assets.

Another Full Tilt Statement

Full Tilt releases another feeble statement.

DOJ Releases Statement

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has released a statement regarding Full Tilt.

Full Tilt Licenses Revoked

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) announced today that Full Tilt’s operating licenses have been revoked.

Full Tilt: We're No Ponzi Scheme

Full Tilt has issued a new statement denying recent Ponzi Scheme allegations.

Full Tilt Deal Close

Full Tilt is finally close to securing financing.

Black Friday and Beyond

The timing of the Department of Justice’s strike rocked an industry caught off-guard, though the sweeping shutdown may finally pave the way for open regulation.

Packing to Play

With no other viable alternatives after Black Friday, a small, dedicated few have packed up to play.

Feds Issue Warrants

Warrants have been issued to seize assets.

PPA Advises Players

The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) has encouraged players to contact the Victim/Witness Coordinator at the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Phil Gordon Cleared in Full Tilt Lawsuit

Phil Gordon was cleared of any wrongdoing regarding his involvement in Full Tilt Poker today.

News Bite: FT Signs Letter of Intent

Full Tilt has signed a letter of intent regarding a potential investment with an unnamed group from the gambling industry.

Financing Before Licensing

The AGCC has yet to make an announcement following its regulatory hearing with Full Tilt.

US Attorney Labels FT 'Ponzi Scheme'

Manhattan’s U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said today that Full Tilt and its board of directors operated “as a massive Ponzi scheme against its own players.”

Another Full Tilt Statement

Full Tilt has released another detailed statement.

Another Full Tilt Lawsuit

Full Tilt is hit with a third class action lawsuit.

News Bite: US Gov Frees PokerStars Funds

The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced that it has released money from a frozen PokerStars account.

FT Lawyers Bail

Ifrah Law PLLC has filed a motion seeking to withdraw as defense counsel in the class-action lawsuit brought against Full Tilt on June 30.

Full Tilt Releases Statement

Full Tilt releases a detailed statement explaining why it has been unable to pay back players.

Full Tilt Issues Statement

Full Tilt has announced that it is seeking other investors, while management apologises for its lack of communication.

Pocket Kings CMO Resigns

Lothar Rentschler has announced his resignation.

FT Faces New Class Action Suit

A new class action lawsuit has been brought against Full Tilt.

PocketFives Suspends Advertising for US Sites

PocketFives.com, one of the largest poker forums on the internet, pulls advertising.

Deadline To Seize Frozen Bankrolls Looms

The deadline to regain assets lost on Black Friday is tomorrow.

Full Tilt to be Purchased by European Investors

Full Tilt may have found buyers to shore up the site.

AGCC Announces Suspension of Full Tilt Poker

The AGCC announced the suspension of Full Tilt Poker's license this morning.

Black Friday Indictments Cause Tension

Phil Ivey and Mike Matusow clash over Ivey's lawsuit.

Rubin Denied Bail

Ira Rubin was denied bail today.

Suspect in Black Friday Indictments Detained

Ira Rubin, a U.S. citizen accused of helping online poker companies circumvent U.S. laws prohibiting the processing of gambling payments, was detained Wednesday.

Latest News

ISPT Continues Attracting Players

The controversial International Stadiums Poker Tour at Wembley Stadium is only one week away.

23rd May 2013

Galea to Guide New Jersey Online Gaming Launch

23rd May 2013

New Look for Phil Ivey at WSOP?

23rd May 2013

Player Withdrawal Troubles as PokerXE Shuts Down

23rd May 2013

Rheem leads WPT World Championship Final Table

23rd May 2013

Sep05

News Bite: US Gov Frees PokerStars Funds

Share
The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced that it has released money from a frozen PokerStars account.
http://ipvip.co/2zt9u
-

The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced that it has released money from a frozen PokerStars account in the Hapoalim Bank in Luxembourg, though has not specified how much. The bank is link to Sphene International, a financial firm named in the Black Friday indictments.

A statement read: “The Government and PokerStars have reached an agreement pursuant to which PokerStars consents to the restraint of US$5.5m in the Account...and the Government agrees that it does not object to PokerStars’ use of the remaining funds in that account.”

Comments

©2012 PokerUpdate. All rights reserved. SC 376685 | Edinburgh, Scotland