Poker Champ Gold Fires BackWSOP Champion Files Motion in Nevada District Court |
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World Series of Poker main event champion Jamie Gold has finally told his version of what took place with Crispin Leyser during the WSOP tournament in a motion filed at the U.S. District Court of Nevada on Wednesday, Nov.1, 2006.
According to Gold's motion, while he admits to making a promise to compensate Leyser, it was merely a gift that he was making to help Leyser out after he could not secure his own entry into the World Series of Poker main event. Gold's motion goes on to cite that despite not having an obligation to do so, he was still going to share some of his winnings. It was at this point, however, that things began to rapidly deteriorate, as Leyser "acted unreasonably and refused to recognize necessary expenses or provide protection to Gold for legitimate tax issues."
Leyser then decided to take legal action against Gold, drawing a huge amount of media attention to the situation in an attempt to try to discredit Gold's reputation. After serious consideration, Gold decided that he was no longer going to share his winnings with Leyser.
Stating that the two met via Leyser's wife Jules, Gold apparently was trying to help Leyser, who, according to the motion, "had serious financial problems. In fact, Leyser was unemployed and playing poker online in an attempt to pay his rental obligations in California."
Unlike Leyser's assertion that Gold had promised him a share of his winnings for securing two celebrities to represent Bodog, Gold denies this outright. "Gold did not discuss sharing the proceeds from Gold's participation in the WSOP - let alone agree to do so in exchange for Plaintiff (Leyser) securing celebrities."
Gold's motion goes on to say that Leyser's actions during the main event were basically harassment, with him constantly sending text messages and calling the future champion before, during, and after his time on the felt. Having his hands full with WSOP play, Gold eventually called Leyser to try to get him to let him focus on the tournament. This call is a major piece of Leyser's argument against Gold, but according to Gold, the message he left on Leyser's phone was to get him to leave Gold alone during the final day of competition.
Eventually Gold went on to win the title and the $12 million first-place prize. According to Gold's motion, it was at this point things started spiraling toward a legal battle as Leyser got WSOP bracelet winner and attorney Mark Seif to contact Gold's recently hired tax attorney, Sam Israel. According to the court documents, Seif insisted that Leyser receive the money immediately.
According to Israel, there were tax issues regarding Gold's direct distribution of his winnings, specifically potential IRS audits and Gold's possible inability to deduct business expenses. Seif however persisted, claiming to have found a loophole that would have allowed Leyser to avoid taxes should he return to his native British Isles. "In other words, once Leyser received any distribution of funds, he intended to leave the country without paying taxes," the motion said.
What happened next is a matter of public record, as Leyser filed an injunction against Gold on Sep. 13, 2006. The court granted Leyser's injunction, holding $6 million of Gold's $12 million winnings. According to Gold's motion, Leyser is not entitled to injunctive relief because there is no threat of irreparable harm and because Leyser has not met the burden of showing the existence of the necessary elements of an enforceable contract.
As things continue to heat up between Gold and Leyser, make sure to stay tuned to Cardplayer.com for more updates.
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