PokerStars have sued former Full Tilt Poker pro, Erick Lindgren, for an outstanding debt worth $2.5m, and have also parted ways with long-standing member of Team Pro Vanessa Rousso.
PokerStars are suing Erick Lindgren for $2.5m
I guess it’s not exactly a surprise. The men and women who once ran Full Tilt Poker strike me as the type to turn a blind eye to a $2.5m cock-up – not PokerStars.
Rational FT Enterprises Limited v. Lindgren is a fight that started on January 30th 2015, and it’s going to be interested to see how this one develops. Lindgren is a former gambling addict. He managed to accumulate a debt load that Caesars Entertainment would be proud of. Unless he has an empty coke bottle that generates money, like the ones Dynamo uses, I would say he’s screwed.
So how does one manage to owe PokerStars $2.5m?
Here is the direct answer taken from court records.
“Pursuant to an agreement between Lindgren and Full Tilt and in accordance with Full Tilt’s capitalization table Full Tilt Poker would submit distributions via direct deposit into Lindgren’s bank account. The distributions were compensation for Lindgren’s service as a professional poker player pursuant to the agreement, under which Lindgren promoted the Full Tilt Poker brand.”
On April 18, 2011, someone working in the Full Tilt Payroll Department managed to accidentally wire Erick Lindgren $2m. As unbelievable as it sounds, Lindgren was actually due $2m for his role as a Full Tilt Poker Ambassador, and was paid twice by mistake.
Back to those court papers
“Various officers of Full Tilt Poker corresponded to Lindgren requesting that Lindgren return the full amount of the erroneous deposit, which Lindgren failed to do.”
“Full Tilt Poker would also regularly make loan advances to their poker pros, so that they could continue playing in poker events and tournaments and, in connection therewith, promote the Full Tilt brand.”
It seems the total make up that Lindgren owed Full Tilt Poker was $531,807, making a combined total loan of $2,531,807.
On Sep 21, 2012 PokerStars’ (who had recently acquired the Full Tilt company) sent a letter and e-mail to Lindgren asking for their money. They never received a reply. They dropped the whole thing whilst Lindgren filed for bankruptcy. During the bankruptcy proceedings Lindgren’s legal team recorded a $2.4m loan from Full Tilt as part of the proceedings – evidence that Lindgren was aware of the debt.
The bankruptcy has long since been dealt with; Lindgren has come out of hiding to win a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet, and PokerStars have once again kindly asked for their money back.
PokerStars head to the courts, and Erick Allen Lindgren has to find a way of turning up with $2.5m.
Vanessa Rousso and PokerStars Part Ways
Vanessa Rousso and PokerStars have parted ways.
She had a good innings. She was once one of the hottest properties on the poker circuit, and one of the only players to capture a high profile non gaming sponsorship contract when she represented the Go Daddy brand.
Rousso joins a long list of PokerStars Team Pros who seem to be having their contracts torn up as they reach renewal stage.
“We can confirm that Vanessa Rousso is no longer a member of Team PokerStars Pro. We are grateful for her service to PokerStars and the game of poker over many years. We wish her well in her future endeavors.” A PokerStars spokesperson told CalvinAyre.
