$6Million of WSOP Poker Winnings Frozen

Lawyers for World Series of Poker Main Event winner Jamie Gold and Bruce Crispin Leyser, a Los Angeles-based television development executive, have agreed to a court injunction on the disputed prize winnings. The injunction freezes $6 million, which is half of the $12 Million WSOP Main Event First place prize, in a dispute about a verbal deal to split the winnings.

U.S. District Court Judge Roger L. Hunt was expected to sign the order soon, said Richard Schonfeld, the lawyer for plaintiff Bruce Crispin Leyser.

"Everybody agreed the preliminary injunction would be issued," Schonfeld said Tuesday September 5th. "The injunction prevents the money from leaving the Rio hotel-casino, which hosted the WSOP, until the case is concluded. Gold's lawyers have until September 15th to challenge the injunction, " added Schonfeld.

Leyser alleges that Gold, a former Hollywood talent agent, agreed in July to split his winnings in exchange for Leyser helping Gold find celebrities to play in the WSOP main event while wearing "Bodog" label gear.

Bodog paid the $10,000 entry fee for Gold, who went on to beat 8,772 players and win the world's largest poker tournament and its $12 million first place prize money.

Leyser alleges he fulfilled his end of the deal. He claims he got Scooby Doo star Matthew Lillard and Punk'd comedian Dax Shepard to wear the Bodog brand. Leyser claims that Gold has refused to hand over $6 million as promised in a recorded phone message. Gold's lawyers declined to comment.

Bodog has said it included Gold on its celebrity roster of players because of his help putting the team together, his relationship with mentor Johnny Chan, and his tournament experience. But Bodog has said they were not aware of any side deal Gold may have made.

For background, see related PokerPages Articles:
Gold sued for Half Poker Winnings
Gold Replies to Claim on $12M Poker Prize