Second petition in $12 million lawsuit disputes Gold's version of events

The television producer fighting for what he says is his share of Jamie Gold's $12 million World Series of Poker Main Event winnings has filed a court petition disputing Gold's account of their agreement.

Crispin Leyser filed the petition in federal court Friday, stating the deal between himself and the poker-playing film producer was a business deal, not a goodwill gesture as Gold has suggested.

Gold, however, contends he offered Leyser a portion of his potential winnings because he felt bad Leyser didn't have sponsorship to play in the WSOP Main Event.

Now with half of his winnings on hold until the legal battle is cleared up, Gold is fighting to keep the full amount.

The agreement came about prior to the 2006 WSOP Main Event. According to Leyser, GBodog.com had agreed to sponsor Gold if he could find celebrities to compete in the tournament wearing the poker room's logo.

Leyser claims Gold and he then made a business deal in which Gold promised him half the pot if he could find celebrities to wear the Bodog.com brand. He found two celebrities - actor Matthew Lillard and MTV personality Dax Shepard - who agreed to wear the clothes.

On the final day of the tournament, Gold left a message with Leyser acknowledging his promis to split his winnings.

Gold maintains that the deal was just a promised gift to Leyser rather than a verbal business deal. He is fighting to get the remainder of his winnings now that he's changed his mind about giving half to Leyser.

U.S. District Judge Roger Hunt will consider the case Thursday morning.

courtesy of Erin Warner

News Added: 18 December, 2006

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