New week brings in new gossips from the world of poker. In this edition of we bring you three stories that are filled with crime, drama and excitement!
We begin with the story regarding the release of the underground poker room leader Geeta Singh aka the madam of Greenwich Village, who was previously arrested in an operation conducted by the NYPD.
We then move to Las Vegas where poker pro Gus Hansen seems to be making good of his time off from Bobby’s Room in The Bellagio with concerts, crazy late night partying and drunken moments at rooftops!
Lastly, we take you to Australia where former poker pro Bill Jordanou has been sentenced to 12 years of prison for his role in a gambling scam.
Without further ado, let’s begin!
Following the 32 arrests made by the New York Police Department (NYPD) on charges of narcotics and gambling after a large-scale distribution network in East Village and West Village was discovered, the prime accused were 52-year-old David Diaz, 43-year old Geeta Singh and 38-year-old Benjamin Guerrero.
Singh who served as the manager and promoter of the gambling operation, pleaded not guilty to six counts of promoting gambling, but appeared to have avoided the drug charges. The charges related to Drug trafficking however can be added when she is called for the hearing.
The Assistant District Attorney Mark Mohr told Manhattan Court that Singh was the lead promoter of the illicit poker operation, confident of her unlawful abilities, Singh referred to herself as the “LeBron James of poker” to authorities. She was extradited to New York and released without bond.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and NYPD busted the poorly hidden poker operation, which catered to several games ranging from a minimum $200 to $500 buy-in, with three tables on each floor operating from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Angel Melendez said at the time of the arrests, “Those arrested today are not just alleged to have been involved in selling highly addictive drugs on city streets, but they are also connected with a sophisticated underground gambling operation right here in Manhattan”.
Gus Hansen’s abilities on the felts do get overshadowed with his wild partying stories at times and this year, Hansen seems to be an on an unstoppable drive when it comes to both poker and partying!
After the Great Dane logged in 652 hours at his favorite Bobby’s Room at The Bellagio, he has been spotted in popular party haunts in Vegas! Hansen shared an image of the Roger Waters concert on his Instagram handle.
He then decided to get drunk on tequila before landing up in the rooftop of the Vegas Rio Voodoo Lounge!
Looks like Hansen is making good of the time off his favorite chair at the Big Game in Bobby’s room where he literally spent 70 days in all, and played against poker bigwigs like Patrik Antonius, Doyle Brunson and Phil Ivey this summer!
Australia’s most notorious swindler, Bill Jordanou had it coming. The 60-year old former poker professional who’s been embroiled in a gambling scheme that defrauded individuals of over $53 Million has been slapped with a 12-year prison sentence.
As part of the sentence, Jordanou will have to spend at least nine mandatory years in prison.
“The CBA conspiracy was a prolonged fraud of breathtaking proportions. The level of falsifications and some of the documentation supplied to the CBA was high and the action of giving it to the bank audacious,” Judge Paul Lacava, who heard the case, said.
Jordanou along with co-accused Robert Zaia allegedly ran a gambling scam that allowed them to take money through an intricate setup using the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA). He also allegedly conned another $13 Million out of several other companies including Mercedez-Benz Financial Services, Bank of Queensland and Rhino Money.
Chiding Jordanou for his actions in the court room, Judge Paul Lacava said Jordanou purposely delayed the proceedings with an “embarrassing” cross-examination that led to a “complete waste of the court’s time.”
While the court is yet to announce the sentence on Zaia’s involvement, Jordanou who’s already spent 198 days in pre-sentence detention, is certainly facing tough times ahead!
That’s it for now folks! Stay tuned and we’ll return with more news and updates from the poker fraternity soon.
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