Gossip Column: Plaintiffs’ Lawyer VerStandig States Stones & Kuraitis Not Involved in Postlegate Scandal; Postle & Kuraitis Break Silence

What had started out as a whirlwind scandal back in October last year quickly turned into a long-drawn-out saga that dragged on for a year. It all began with Veronica Brill, a former commentator on Stones Live Poker at Stones Gambling Hall, accusing Mike Postle of cheating during the live cash games hosted at the establishment. The allegations sent shockwaves through the poker community, ultimately leading to a $30 Million lawsuit.

A total of 88 plaintiffs that included Brill had filed the lawsuit, not only against Postle but also against Stones Live production manager Justin Kuraitis, and King’s Casino (parent company to Stones Gambling Hall). On September 9, a court filing revealed that 60 of the 88 plaintiffs had accepted an undisclosed settlement.

Here is where the story gets a little tricky. With 60 plaintiffs accepting the settlement, there are still 28 non-settling plaintiffs, which includes Brill. These non-settling plaintiffs will now have to proceed without the counsel of lawyer Mac VerStandig since he has already withdrawn from the case with effect from September 11.

I didn’t sign the settlement

I am free to continue to tell the truth

— Veronica (@Angry_Polak) September 15, 2020

One of the most startling developments, in this case, has been VerStandig’s statement that neither Stones nor Kuraitis was involved in any sort of cheating. This statement was supposedly one of the conditions of the settlement.

Besides this unusual twist to the tale, both Postle and Kuraitis have finally broken their silence on the scandal.

Mac VerStandig States Stones & Kuraitis Were Not Involved in Cheating

VerStandig, who has tirelessly fought on behalf of players claiming to have been cheated by Postle, on Monday conveyed via a telephonic interview to The Sacramento Bee that, “A number of my clients chose to settle the case with the casino. t’s an amicable settlement that we’re happy to enter into.”

The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, although a Stones source said the payment amount was “nominal” and made to “show goodwill.”

He also went on to absolve Stones and Kuraitis from the scandal. “After reviewing the evidence with the cooperation of Stones, my co-counsel and I have found no evidence supporting the plaintiffs’ claims against Stones, Stones Live Poker, or Justin Kuraitis. My co-counsel and I have found no forensic evidence that there was cheating at Stones or that Stones, Mr. Kuraitis, the Stones Live team, or any dealers were involved in any cheating scheme. Based on our investigation, we are satisfied that Stones and Mr. Kuraitis were not involved in any cheating that may have occurred. While Stones has not spoken publicly regarding the details of their investigation during its pendency, its counsel and Mr. Kuraitis’ counsel have been immensely cooperative behind-the-scenes.”

Postle’s name was noticeably missing from the statement.

Postle Clarifies Stand Via Text Message

The main accused in this whole debacle, Postle, has also been one of the most enigmatic characters. Ever since the scandal began, he has oftentimes hidden from the media and the poker fraternity. Declining interview requests and even failing to appear for his court summons.

The prime accused finally made a statement via text message to The Sacramento Bee stating the following:

“As much as I’d like to say, all I can really say right now is that I have my side of this entire fiasco to tell. It won’t just shock the poker and gambling industries, but the entire world.

This all goes way beyond just my innocence but includes an entire incredible 17+ year story along with it, and what’s happened since the allegations. In fact, it’s such a mind-blowing story, that it’s being told to Dave Broome at 25/7 Productions who will be producing a wild documentary for the world to see it!

I’ve been waiting for many, many months on this and I’m anxious for it to finally come out. So to all the detractors and accusers who have asked, ‘Why hasn’t he spoken or provided his evidence of innocence and explanations?’

Well guess what? … Now you know.”

For those who don’t know, Dave Broome is a producer and writer, best known for hits like Ultimate Beastmaster (2017), The Biggest Loser (2004), and S.T.R.O.N.G. (2016). Needless to say, this is one documentary the entire poker community will is waiting to see.

Kuraitis Feels Vindicated

Kuraitis got wrapped up in the scandal for allegedly not taking other players’ complaints about the supposed cheating seriously. With his name finally getting cleared from the scandal, he feels vindicated.

“I would characterize the settlement as a complete vindication,” said Kuraitis’ lawyer Richard Pachter.

Unlike Postle, Kuraitis had a lot more to say. The statement, shared on Twitter, was a rather lengthy one. He wrote about how the allegations affected him and even went on to attack the poker community and poker media for unjustly accusing him.

There are some things I’ve wanted to say for a while now@Joeingram1 @Angry_Polak @DougPolkVids @mac_verstandig @Mike_Postle @MarleCordeiro @RealKidPoker @StonesLivePoker @notthefakeSVP @RounderLife @haralabob @espn @barstoolsports @kirkrexfordhttps://t.co/2FERsqGoFJ

— Justin Kuraitis (@JFKPokerTD) September 15, 2020

Postle has some of his best sessions when I am out of the country and 2 of his 3 biggest losing sessions are when I am at Stones

Who invited @Mike_Postle to your games Veronica? @Angry_Polak Just stop pic.twitter.com/zSmtokAAqO

— Justin Kuraitis (@JFKPokerTD) September 15, 2020

I challenge anyone in poker to prove this data wrong

I’m waiting…

— Justin Kuraitis (@JFKPokerTD) September 15, 2020

The statement read: “In the fall of 2019, I watched as the ‘poker community’ and wanna-be ‘celebrity’ commentators on Twitter/YouTube falsely accused me of being a knowing participant in what was allegedly the ‘biggest poker cheating scandal in history.’ The allegations against me were false.

However, the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Gambling Control still conducted an investigation with which I completely and voluntarily cooperated. Because of the investigation and then civil litigation, I was counseled to remain silent and let the process play out without making public comment. I did so, all the while wondering if the record would ever be set straight, if the poker community would ever take me back and if those that falsely accused me would ever apologize or if they would just go on to the next effort to collect clicks and followers.”

“The Twitter mob is real, it is ugly, and it has real-life consequences,” he further wrote. “I have never before experienced so much hatred, ignorance, and even threats of violence.”

Kuraitis continues to be employed at Stones.

Poker Community Reacts

Well, the courts might have let the three accused go scot-free, but the majority of the poker community is not buying their side of the story. Several big names came out to voice the fact that the legal system’s inability to convict the accused does not equate to them being innocent.

1) You and Postle are innocent in the eyes of the law because the legal system is not fit to determine if you were cheating or not.

2) Gambling debts in court are very difficult to enforce.

3) Please stop insulting the poker community with this complete nonsense. https://t.co/urZkE3pgue

— Doug Polk (@DougPolkVids) September 15, 2020

I also love the “people were using this to make themselves popular angle”.

Its just classic deflecting from what really happened.

This segment made ESPN. Im sure SVP was basking in the fame from postlegate.

— Doug Polk (@DougPolkVids) September 15, 2020

First of all, I have no clue who you are or why I was mentioned.

After reading this, however, it just seems way more likely that you had to of known this dude was cheating. Oh, and cheating he was.

No one loves their crotch that much bro. GTFO

— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) September 15, 2020

I was asked to join the lawsuit and declined even though I was fairly certain I was cheated. Why? Because there was no evidence that you were involved and it felt wrong to include you. But this write up of you protecting Postle makes me 2nd guess my stance.

— Johnnie VIBES (@JohnnieVibes) September 15, 2020

When people reach the point of irrational explanations and zero self awareness, they’re not worth hearing out.

You’ve been there for a long time.

— Marle Cordeiro (@MarleCordeiro) September 15, 2020

Guy gets absolved of poker cheating by people who likely think poker is mostly about counting cards and then does a victory lap on poker twitter. You can’t make this stuff up.

— Amit Makhija (@amak316) September 16, 2020

Wow this is Trump Administration level gaslighting. Truly impressive to achieve. But also, lol.

— Vanessa Selbst ️‍ (@VanessaSelbst) September 16, 2020

You lost me at ‘ashamed to say I went through a period of time I even began to wonder if Postle had cheated.” ??‍♀️

— Danielle Andersen (@dmoongirl) September 15, 2020

Well, it seems though Postle, Kuraitis, and Stones have managed to escape the clutches of the law, the poker community isn’t willing to forgive and forget just yet.