The Associated Press has reported that
World Series of Poker main event winner Jamie Gold has agreed to settle a $12 million dispute with Los Angeles TV producer Bruce Crispin Leyser. In a joint signed statement released on Tuesday, both
have agreed the matter should be resolved "without litigation."
Click here for Card Player's original story and review of the actual Leyser vs. Gold lawsuit filed in August of 2006.
"Jamie always intended on sharing his winnings with Crispin," the statement says. "Jamie and Crispin are happy to report they have fully settled this matter. They are pleased to be closing this chapter and look forward to continued success."
The former Hollywood agent turned poker pro won the 2006
WSOP main event by defeating 8,772 players. Since then the dispute has been a black eye on the poker industry, the
WSOP, and the parties involved.
The two did not make clear how much money Leyser would receive as Gold has already withdrawn half of the $12 million in winnings. The rest was frozen by court order after Leyser filed suit against Gold last summer in Las Vegas court.
Leyser said Gold agreed to the split in exchange for finding celebrities to represent Bodog by wearing their logo while playing in the $10,000 tournament
Leyser kept a voicemail that Gold left on his phone on the final day of the tournament in which Gold promised to pay Leyser "your half."
At a December court hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Roger L. Hunt rejected a motion by Gold's lawyers to lift an injunction set in September on the $6 million. The money remained inside the Rio All Suite Hotel Casino vaults until Hunt finally order the frozen funds to be moved into an interest-bearing account.
Hunt also indicated that Leyser would likely win his claim to the $6 million.
The following is a joint statement received on Wednesday from Jamie Gold and Crispin Leyser regarding the resolution of the civil lawsuit.
"Jamie and Crispin went into the
World Series of Poker as friends. There was an agreement that Jamie would share his winnings with Crispin. After Jamie won the tournament, Jamie and Crispin began to be pulled in different directions. Jamie always intended on sharing his winnings with Crispin. Both now agree that this matter should have been resolved without litigation. Jamie and Crispin are happy to report they have fully settled this matter. They are pleased to be closing this chapter and look forward to continued success."
