UPDATED: The hearing has since been adjourned to “no later than September 15”, ostensibly to allow the negotiations between Full Tilt Poker and its unnamed European investors to bear fruit.
—-
Full Tilt Poker is currently battling tooth-and-nail to make sure that the hearing with the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) over their license is held in private. According to eGaming Review, the lawyers for FTP are fighting for the hearing to be held privately due to the sensitive information that could be revealed.
Martin Heslop of law firm Jeffrey Green Russell, said, “It is not in the interest of justice that this should be aired in public. There is a real risk that it may be detrimental to these interests and highly prejudicial to this decision.”
The first reason that he gave as to why it should be in private was that “highly commercially sensitive information” may come out that would gave a “highly damaging effect” on the proposed third-party acquisition of assets and licenses. Heslop added that “privilege versus self-incrimination” was another factor that should be taken into account. That relates to other proceedings, such as the ensuing cases in the United States.
Heslop continued, “If the hearing was held in public it would deprive the respondents of a fair trial since it would be impossible for me to deliver hearings without prejudice.”
Earlier in the day, the proceedings got slightly boisterous as a poker pro lit the white touch paper by storming out of the proceedings. Harry Demetriou reportedly exited whilst at the same time calling FTP “corrupt” as the commissioners in charge agreed to “grant the respondents’ case be heard in camera in the interest of justice and fairness.”
Jason Hill, representing the AGCC, said he did not “consent to the application [for the case to be held in private]” but that the body “did not oppose it.”
He added that two of the charges related to non-payment of license fees amounting to £250,000. Heslop’s response was that if the licenses were revoked, “why spend £250,000 for licenses that no longer exist?
“Those fees will be paid [if the application is accepted] within seven days,”
The hearing continues into the afternoon with an announcement expected at 3pm.
