Things were going so well for Jamie Gold during the World Series of Poker as he beat thousands of players to win millions of dollars.
But now a judge has put a restraining order preventing Gold collecting his $12 million prize as a suit has been filed by a TV exec claiming half his winnings.
Apparently Gold had 'verbally promised' Bruce Leyser 50% of all his winnings after tax. They agreed after Bodog.com had paid the $10,000 entry fee and Gold had taken the seat.
Leyser taped a phone conversation he had with Gold just 3 hours before the final table commenced with the reassurance that the money would be shared.
Bodog are naturally keeping out of it.
Gold, a former Hollywood talent agent from Malibu, Calif., and currently a television producer, could have received the $12 million payment (minus taxes) via cashier's check, cash or wire transfer within hours after winning the tournament but declined to do so.
"Jamie Gold is disappointed the plaintiff, a person he has only known since July of this year, has elected to file litigation rather than continue the parties' discussions in an effort to find a resolution to this matter," Gold's lawyers said in a statement. "Gold believes strongly in the American judicial system and believes it is better to present his case there than to try the matter before the court of public opinion."
Article: World Series of Poker prize money frozen after suit is filed against winner