World Series of Poker prize money frozen after suit is filed against winner

What's won in Vegas stays in Vegas.

So it seems for World Series of Poker main event champion Jamie Gold, who won a record $12 million on Aug. 10 after outlasting 8,772 players in the largest live poker tournament in history.

A Las Vegas district court judge has issued a restraining order to prevent Gold from collecting his money until the settlement of a lawsuit brought by Bruce Crispin Leyser, a Los Angeles-based TV development executive.

In the lawsuit, filed Aug. 21 in Las Vegas District Court and obtained by USA TODAY, Leyser claims that Gold verbally promised to pay Leyser half of whatever he won at the WSOP.

Las Vegas Chief District Judge Kathy Hardcastle signed a temporary restraining order Aug. 21 preventing Gold from collecting his winnings from the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino, where the World Series was held, until at least Sept. 1, when the first court hearing in the case is scheduled.

Gold, a former Hollywood talent agent from Malibu, Calif., and currently a television producer, could have received the $12 million payment (minus taxes) via cashier's check, cash or wire transfer within hours after winning the tournament but declined to do so.

"Jamie Gold is disappointed the plaintiff, a person he has only known since July of this year, has elected to file litigation rather than continue the parties' discussions in an effort to find a resolution to this matter," Gold's lawyers said in a statement. "Gold believes strongly in the American judicial system and believes it is better to present his case there than to try the matter before the court of public opinion."

According to the complaint, Gold and Leyser met in July. Leyser claims he was approached by Gold, whose $10,000 entry fee was paid by online poker site Bodog.com, seeking assistance in finding celebrities to play under the Bodog label. If celebrities were found Bodog agreed to provide either Gold or Leyser a seat at the main event, and, according to the lawsuit, both players agreed that whoever received the seat would halve their winnings with the other.

The lawsuit claims Leyser found actors Matthew Lillard and Dax Shepard to play and wear the company's logo. Lillard played the role of Shaggy in two recent Scooby-Doo films. Shepard might be best known for his work on the MTV practical joke show, Punk'd.

According to the complaint, Gold left a telephone message for Leyser about three hours before the final table of the main event was to begin play on Aug. 10, reassuring Leyser that he would get half of whatever Gold won.

"I promise you — you can keep this recording on my word — there's no possible way you're not going to get half after taxes," Leyser claims that Gold said in the message. "So please just be with me. I can't imagine you're going to have a problem with it. I just don't want any stress about any money or any of that s—- going on today."

Leyser's attorney, Richard Schonfeld of Las Vegas, says his client's case is "exceptionally strong."

"As stated in the lawsuit, we have a recording where Gold gives his word that Leyser will get 50%," he says. "As well, in order for us to obtain the temporary restraining order, we had to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merit of the case. We met that burden."

Bodog officials say they worked with many agents, managers, publicists and other entertainment professionals to set up a celebrity team for the WSOP. Bodog says Gold was included in Team Bodog because of his aid in setting up the celebrities, his successful poker tournament background and his relationship with poker pro Johnny Chan, a two-time winner of the WSOP main event.

"We are unaware of any side deal (Gold) may have made in obtaining these celebrities," said a statement by Bodog officials on Thursday.

Gold signed a two-year deal with Bodog after the event for pro poker sponsorship and television production. His endorsement deal includes tournament buy-ins and promotional appearances, and a $1 million television production deal. The deal also includes a Jamie Gold table on Bodog.com, where Gold will play frequently.

courtesy of Steve DiMeglio

News Added: 25 August, 2006

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