WSOP Final Table Player in Betting Investigation

WSOP Final Table Player in Betting Investigation

Monday, 8 October 2007

Richard Lee, who finished in sixth place in the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event, has been charged regarding a bookmaking operation in San Antonio. The raid was made on his house after Lee final-tabled the Main Event, and was one of several targ

Richard Lee, who finished in sixth place in the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event, has been charged regarding a bookmaking operation in San Antonio. The raid was made on his house after Lee final-tabled the Main Event, and was one of several targeted in the investigations. Authorities had seized millions in property during the raid which they believed had been connected to the operation itself.
Lee was charged with four others, each of whom faces a misdemeanour charge of ‘gambling promotion’. The resulting prosecution could see the men land up to a year in prison and a $4,000 fine. The prosecuting team, lead by District Attorney Susan Reed, are looking to permanently confiscate the extensive cash and property seized in the raid, most of which was identified as Lee’s. Among the items identified as Lee’s were $2.7m, three cars including a 2005 Mercedes S430, designer watches, electronics and a currency counter.
The source of the $2.7 million remains in dispute between Lee's lawyers and the District Attorney's office, with Lee pointing to his $2,803,851 payday from the 2006 WSOP as the origination of the funds, while the investigators maintained it was the fruits of his bookmaking operation.
After the raids, Lee joked that he had gone from ‘hero to zero in a few hours’, even as he began his defence against the charges.



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