With each tournament held by the fledgling Epic Poker League, it seems that there is a corresponding dispute that comes along with said event. The latest fracas that has erupted could lead to the courtroom.
In an interview with QuadJacks Radio, poker player Michael DiVita recounted his run in the EPL’s Pro/Am tournament on September 3. After making the final table – where the final nine players all received their $20,000 seat into the EPL Main Event – DiVita states that he came back on the Tuesday following the Pro/Am to take part in the Main Event. It was at this point that the debate between DiVita and EPL officials escalated.
According to DiVita, EPL Standards and Ethics Committee chairman Stephen Martin met with him as he was preparing to enter the event to discuss his participation in the tournament. At the heart of the issue allegedly was the factor that DiVita is a registered sex offender, stemming from a conviction in 1991. Martin believed that it wasn’t in the best interests of the EPL or DiVita to play in the tournament and stated this fact to DiVita.
During the QuadJacks interview, DiVita stated that this came as no surprise to him. He offered to withdraw from the tournament as long as he was paid the $20,000 that he had earned by making the final table of the Pro/Am. The EPL allegedly flatly refused that offer, instead stating that DiVita would be refunded $1500 (his buy in for the Pro/Am) and it would be explained that he voluntarily withdrew from the tournament. DiVita, who didn’t find this deal to his liking, then stated he would go ahead and play in the Main Event. It was at this point allegedly that it became ugly.
DiVita quotes Martin as saying at the time, “We will stop you…It will get very public, and probably be very embarrassing for you…We will say that you withdrew.” It is also alleged by DiVita that, to back up their proposal, security from the host venue, the Palms Casino Resort, was used to provide some “intimidation,” in DiVita’s view. In the end, DiVita took the $1500 and was immediately escorted off the grounds of the Palms.
DiVita isn’t ready to end the issue, however. “As an ethical man, I will not ask for anything that I do not feel that I am due,” DiVita said in the QuadJacks interview. “What I was due was $20,000. What I was given was $1,500. I’d like the balance sent to me within ten days. If my money is not received by that date, I will file a lawsuit against Federated Sports & Gaming, the Epic Poker League, and all of its partners and principals, for not only my $18,500, but also additional damages for many other causes of action, including civil rights violations, against me.”
At issue here is in the EPL’s Code of Conduct, which all players sign before playing in any EPL tournament. That Code of Conduct states, “Any conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity or reputation of the poker community or the Epic Poker League is subject to league discipline.”
Furthermore, the EPL Code of Conduct goes on to say, “While criminal conduct is clearly outside the scope of permissible professional conduct (and persons who engage in serious criminal conduct are subject to League discipline), our standard of conduct as professional poker players is considerably higher. It is not simply enough to avoid being convicted of a serious criminal offense.”
This brouhaha comes on the heels of the inaugural EPL tournament, which was won by poker professional David “Chino” Rheem. Following the tournament, allegations regarding Rheem’s professionalism – especially his non-payment of backing debts – raged across poker message boards, allegedly nearly caused a riot at the cash out cage and continue to dog the new champion following his win. In the end, the EPL chose to put Rheem on probation rather than banish their first champion from future tournaments.
While it is admirable that the EPL is looking to raise the bar regarding player conduct, it does step into some murky waters. If a person’s past record can be used against them – whether convicted or not and whether poker-related or not – there are several card carrying members of the EPL that could be looked at as violators of the Code of Conduct.
The guy was convicted 20 years ago, isn’t there such a thing as reform in those peoples mind. It’s fracas like these that would make anyone rather play online. Talking of which, along with revenge bent idiots and bozos that can’t figure out when they are confused, those that pass the law banning online poker and keep it there are no better than sweathogs.
This is total garbage by the EPL… if the man was in the tournament and at the venue conducting himself in a professional manner.. WTF are they doing with background checks? So what if the man was convicted of anything, he did The time, paid the price… this is a terrible precedent and now these EPL yahoos are f*((^ing s*^% up trying to be the judge, lawyer and executioner to play poker… unreal… i hope the guy goes legal WITH this BS…
AND exactly which sport wouldn’t allow him to play? Obviously he can’t be around children, but 18 and over environment.. there’s no valid argument by the EPL other than them trying to put their own values into the game.. MORONIC and reminds me of a UIGEA bill that got passed by elitist.. unreal
What about Justin Bonomo being caught cheating online and being allowed to play.