Wsop Lawsuit

Party Poker's own Mike Sexton is scheduled to testify on behalf of plaintiff Crispin Leyser in the Leyser vs. Gold lawsuit, currently awaiting trial in Nevada. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that Sexton, who became aquainted with Leyser through the WPT Boot Camps, is prepared to provide expert testimony that 95% of high-stakes poker professionals enter into verbal agreements similar to the one between Leyser and Gold and that these deals are hardly ever made in writing.

As for the disputed $12 million, at least half of it is finally in Jamie Gold's hands. Gold took payment this week of $6 million of his $12 million prize, the disputed half still frozen in the Rio's vaults by court order.

The biggest mystery still remains. In the face of the mountain of evidence that Gold did indeed promise Leyser half, most notably the infamous "smoking gun" cell phone message-- why is Gold still challenging him in court? What exactly is preventing him from paying Leyser the $6 million? We have yet to hear Gold's reasoning and may not for another few weeks-- he just fired his lawyer and hired a new one.

The plot thickens...

I got a voicemail tonight from a San Antonio friend telling me that Richard Lee had been arrested. Actually he was not arrested, but WAOI reports that vice police were searching Lee's pricey Shavano Park home this evening for evidence that he was "running an illegal gambling ring." Police reportedly have the authority to seize everything, including his cars.

A little sad. I liked Richard. He was one of the good guys sporting his San Antonio sweatshirt instead of selling his soul to Bodog or PokerStars. I smiled as he talked during his press conference about how all he cared about was God, family, and San Antonio, Texas...corny I know...but after living in San Antonio for six years, he made me miss the S.A. pride.

UPDATE: The San Antonio Express-News reports police seized a money-counting machine, five Lexus cars, plasma-screen TVs along with a large amount of cash.

I had a feeling this was coming, after hearing all the rumors as the Main Event final table progressed. Chip leader and eventual WSOP champion Jamie Gold only had half of his own action, having verbally promised half of whatever he won to his friend and fellow poker player Crispin Leyser. Speculation has been rampant about the reasoning behind and the specifics of Leyser and Gold's deal in the twelve days that have passed since he captured the largest cash prize in sports history. And now, Poker News is reporting that Leyser has filed suit against Gold in the Las Vegas District Court seeking half of his Main Event winnings. Leyser claims to have copies of voicemails Gold left him on the morning of the final table confirming the 50/50 deal. Gold, who has yet to physically collect his $12 million in winnings from Harrah's, has been consequently blocked from doing so by a Nevada judge until the matter can be resolved.