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Online Poker News - By Kristen of Rakedrop.com 8/27/2006
WSOP Champ Jamie Gold Involved in Lawsuit Over Winnings
Las Vegas, Nevada- 2006 WSOP Main Event Champion Jamie gold has yet to claim the $12 million prize for first place. The money remains unclaimed in the cashier's cage at the Rio, thanks to a dispute over who the money is owed to. The lawsuit against Gold has been filed by Bruce Crispin Leyser, a television producer turned professional gambler from the UK.
Leyser alleges that he and Gold met in July during the preliminary WSOP events and discussed plans for a television show. He claims that Gold also offered to give his seat to in the Main Event to Leyser, in exchange for help promoting Gold's sponsor in the main event, online poker site Bodog.com. He also says that they agreed that whoever ended up playing in the event would split their winnings with the other. Leyser says that he was able to get Matthew Lillard ("Shaggy" from the Scooby Doo films) and Dax Shepard (often seen on "Punk'd) to promote Bodog, though Bodog and Leyser did not strike a deal together.
Gold played in the Main Event, according to the terms of his deal with Bodog, and gained a huge chip lead early on. His chip lead turned into a final table appearance, which ended up with Jamie Gold taking first place, the famous gold bracelet, and a $12 million prize. Gold has made no attempt to collect the money, even before the lawsuit was filed. He told Harrah's, when contacted about the money, that his lawyer and accountant were still working out the details. Before they finished, however, Leyser filed a lawsuit in Clark County, suing Gold for what he claims to be his half of the money- $6 million.
Leyser has submitted a voice-mail message that he claims is Gold confirming the agreement between the two. The courts have issued a temporary restraining order on the $12 million prize, which is to remain untouched at the Rio until September 5th, unless the courts order otherwise.
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