Politician Says He Was Thrown Out Of Poker Game At Melbourne Casino For Licking His Finger

Paul Lennon, the former Premier of Tasmania, has claimed that he was booted out of a small-stakes poker game at a Melbourne casino this past Thursday for licking his finger during a hand.

Victorian police issued a $738 fine for failing to leave the casino, ABC.net.au reported.

A witness said that security guards wrestled with Lennon, binding his hands with cable ties.

“At one instance I licked my index finger before touching my dealt cards, as you sometimes do,” he said in a statement. “But apparently this is against the rules—something I was not aware of. For this I was removed. I questioned the reason why, but was not given an answer.”

Lennon claimed he had not consumed any alcohol during the game.

Another report said that a witness claimed that Lennon also had started berating a woman he accused of touching his poker chips, so the reason for his ejection is disputed.

When being restrained and escorted out, Lennon reportedly asked the guards: “Don’t you know who I am?” Lennon served as Premier from 2004 to 2008.

He resigned after it was clear people thought he was terrible at his job. His approval rating had dropped below 20 percent. He had been accused of corruption.

Most Viewed Articles