The dispute between WSOP champion Jamie Gold and television produced
Crispin Leyser took a new turn this week when a U.S. judge upheld
the continued freeze on half of Jamie Gold's $12 million 2006 World
Series of Poker Main Event winnings.
The court agreed, however to a request from attorneys for both parties
for the cash to moved from Harrah's custody, where it has lain since
the dispute surfaced, to an interest bearing account pending final
resolution.
District Court Judge Roger Hunt indicated that Leyser, the television
pro laying claim to half Gold's pot, is likely to get his share of
the money.
He also rejected a motion by Gold's lawyer to remove an order preventing
the WSOP champ from accessing the cash. Since winning the Main Event
in August, the money has been on hold at the Rio Hotel and Casino.
Hunt said Gold's actions didn't give him assurance that the money
would be turned over to Leyser if he won the case.
The lawsuit was filed by Leyser after Gold allegedly backed out a
business deal to split his WSOP winnings between the pair. According
to Leyser, Gold needed to find celebrities to compete in the tournament
wearing the Bodog.com logo in order to get sponsorship from the poker
room.
Leyser supplied the stars - actor Matthew Lillard and MTV personality
Dax Shepard - in exchange for half of Gold's pot. But after winning
the Main Event, Gold said the his agreement with Leyser was a goodwill
gesture and not a binding business deal and is now fighting to keep
the full $12 million.