DOJ issues warrants in rem on Full Tilt bank accounts

FTP hearing

FTP hearingFollowing the recent amendment of the Manhattan United States Attorney’s Office’s complaint against online poker operator Full Tilt Poker, the DOJ has issued a warrant in rem for the seizure of five bank accounts related to those amended charges on Sept. 19.

FYI, “in rem,” is a legal term that refers to a legal action directed toward property. To be clear, the warrants aren’t arrest warrants, they’re seizure warrants, and they are targeting the board members of Full Tilt Poker, which includes Howard Lederer, Chris Ferguson, CEO Ray Bitar, and Rafe Furst.

Here’s a copy of the key part of the warrant:

“YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED AND AUTHORIZED to seize the property described below by personally serving a copy of this warrant in rem upon any person presently in possession of such property:

All funds and other property on deposit in account numbered GB81 RBOS 6095 4234 0877 66 held at NatWest, in the name of Raymond Bitar, and all funds traceable thereto;

All funds and other property on deposit in account numbered 7655741861 held at Wells Fargo Bank N.A. in the name of HH Lederer Consulting LLC, and all funds traceable thereto; and

All funds and other property on deposit in account numbered GB56LOYD30166314010402 held at Lloyds TSB International, Isle of Mann, in the name of Howard Lederer, and all funds traceable thereto;

All fund and other property on deposit in the account numbered 40039049628 held at Citibank N.A., in the name of Chris Ferguson, and all funds traceable thereto; and

Account numbered CH87 0875 5057 0684 0010 0 held at Pictet & Co Bankers, Switzerland, in the name of Telamonian Ajax Trust, and all funds traceable thereto.

YOU ARE FURTHER COMMANDED AND AUTHORIZED to prepare a written inventory of the property seized and promptly return this warrant and inventory before this Court as required by law.”