Absolute Poker Co-Founder Scott Tom Pleads Guilty, Sentencing on September 28

Scott Tom
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  • PG News June 16, 2017
  • 2 Minutes Read

After Black Friday (April 15th, 2011), the Costa-Rica based offices of Absolute Poker were raided by government officials which led to co-founder Scott Tom (cover image) bolting the country and fleeing to Antigua. In December 2011, the other co-founder Brent Beckley pleaded guilty and spent a little over a year in prison.

Tom returned to the United States this year to finally face charges and was bailed after posting a $500,000 bond. He will likely not return to prison but will probably be hit with some hefty fines with the sentencing set for September 28 this year.

He and his attorney signed a plea deal on May 31st pleading guilty to just one misdemeanor count and admitted to “the interstate transmission of gambling information.”

The government through an official court document said that,“Tom helped Absolute Poker, an unlawful internet gambling business, continue to operate in the United States and accept payments from United States customers without detection by United States law enforcement.”

Millions of dollars in player funds went up in smoke after Absolute poker disappeared post Black Friday and according to the government, the company earned around $500 million from US citizens during its operative period. As estimated $60 million worth of player funds were lost when it shut down.

In April this year, it was announced that there was enough money left over from the Full Tilt Poker reimbursement process to help settle dues of Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet. Thus, a claims process managed by the Garden City Group began with 1.2 million “potentially eligible victims” being emailed to inform them about the remission process. The initial deadline to file a claim was June 9 but has now been extended till September 7th.

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