Gambling Articles

In accordance with a report by the Financial Times, US investigators are targeting popular professional poker players in their inquiry into online poker casino gambling. An ongoing investigation of Full Tilt Poker is seeking to accuse company officials with money laundering, and may prosecute such famous poker players as Chris “Jesus” Ferguson and Howard Lederer.

Full Tilt is known to advertise its connection with celebrity poker professionals, and both Lederer and Ferguson are alleged of having some control of the company’s operation. Rose told the Times, that they are waging war with intimidation as a weapon and are going after high-profile targets. US law enforcement has directed their attention to bringing the massive weight of federal investigation onto individuals and companies, in their attempt to squeeze out plea arrangements and demand conformity to its version of the Wire Act, despite court rulings that limit the law to sports betting. While legality may be in question, few have the means to battle the US in court, and many are forced into accepting US policy through fear of drawing loved ones into the fray.

Lederer and Ferguson joined attorneys for Full Tilt in refusing to remark about unproven grand jury testimony. No comment was impending about the leaking of grand jury proceedings, a federal crime forbidden by the Constitution precisely, to avoid the rush to judgment sought by the federal government. US investigators have often adopted this illegal approach when comments and convictions are hard to procure, in cases ranging from online gambling to Barry Bonds’ supposed steroid use.