An amendment to the United States Southern District of New York’s civil complaint against online poker companies PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker under Case Number: 1:2011cv02564 was filed by Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Lockard today (Tuesday).
The amended complaint itemises amongst other issues distribution payments to Full Tilt owners totalling $443 860 529.89, and specifically adds Howard Lederer, Ray Bitar, Chris Ferguson and Rafe Furst to the complaint (Page 72).
According to the amendment the total amount owed by Full Tilt Poker to its players as at 31 March 2011 was $390 695 788 however the company?s bank accounts allegedly only held $59 579 413.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement today ?Full Tilt was not a legitimate poker company, but a global Ponzi scheme.
?Full Tilt insiders lined their own pockets with funds picked from the pockets of their most loyal customers while blithely lying to both players and the public alike about the safety and security of the money deposited.?
The full version of the amended complaint makes for interesting reading and can be accessed at:
http://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/new-york/nysdce/1:2011cv02564/377900/49/1.html
In the meantime, industry observers await word on the ongoing Full Tilt Poker licence suspension hearing currently being held by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) in a London hotel. The hearing, held in camera, is running for a second day today with no comment on progress from either the AGCC or Full Tilt Poker as we went to press.