Unites States v. Pokerstars, et al

Filing 231

ENDORSED LETTER addressed to Judge Leonard B. Sand from Sharon Cohehn Levin dated 7/26/2012 re: The Government requests, with the consent of counsel for PokerStars, Lederer, Furst, and Ferguson, that the Court terminate the present response and reply deadlines for all motions to dismiss pending (1) PokerStars' answering the outstanding special interrogatories (or the Court quashing such interrogatories) and (2) the Court's resolution of the Government's July 18 Motion. ENDORSEMENT: So Ordered. (Signed by Judge Leonard B. Sand on 7/24/2012) (jfe)

U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney
Southern District o/New York
The Silvio J. Mollo Building
One Saint Andrew's Pla::;a
New York, New York 10007

July 26, 2012
BY HAND
Honorable Leonard B. Sand
United States District Judge
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street, Room 1650
New York, NY 10007
Re:

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United States v, Pokerstars, et aI.,
11 Civ. 2564 (LBS)

Dear Judge Sand:
The Government respectfully writes in regard to upcoming deadlines relating to the motions
to dismiss filed by (1) PokerStars entities the Oldford Group Ltd., Rational Entertainment
Enterprises Ltd., Stelekrarn Ltd., Sphene International Ltd., and PYR Software Ltd. (collectively,
"PokerStars") (D.E. 201); and (2) Full Tilt Poker-affiliated individuals Howard Lederer (D.E. 189),
Rafael Furst (and a related Trust) (D.E. 191, 193), and Christopher Ferguson (D.E. 195). These
motions raise many identical and overlapping issues.
On July 18,2012, the Government filed a motion to stay consideration ofPokerS tars' motion
to dismiss and to take expedited discovery relating to the applicability of the fugitive disentitlement
statute, 28 U.S.C. § 2466, to the claims filed by PokerStars (D.E. 225, the "July 18 Motion"). Also
on that date, the Government served upon PokerS tars special interrogatories and document requests
pursuant to Rule G(6) of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset
Forfeiture Actions with respect to PokerStars' claims for funds held in certain third-party payment­
processing accounts and other funds. As stated in Rule G(6)( c): "The government need not respond
to a claimant's motion to dismiss the action under Rule G(8)(b) until 21 days after the claimant has
answered these interrogatories." Accordingly, the Government's response to PokerStars' motion is
automatically deferred pursuant to Rule G and the Government in the July 18 Motion sought a
further stay of PokerS tars' motion in connection with fugitive disentitlement issues. PokerStars has
indicated that it plans to move to quash these interrogatories and document requests.
Because of the identical and overlapping issues raised in the motions to dismiss, judicial
economy counsels strongly towards considering the motions to dismiss filed by the Full Tilt Poker­
affiliated individuals at the same time as PokerStars' motion to dismiss. Accordingly, the

Government requests, with the consent of counsel for PokerStars,J Lederer, Furst (and the related
Trust), and Ferguson, that the Court terminate the present response and reply deadlines for all
motions to dismiss pending (1) PokerS tars ' answering the outstanding special interrogatories (or the
Court quashing such interrogatories) and (2) the Court's resolution of the Government's July 18
Motion.
Upon PokerS tars ' answering the special interrogatories (or the Court quashing such
interrogatories) and the Court's resolution of the Goverrunent' s July 18 Motion, the affected parties
will consult with one another and report to the Court regarding scheduling ofbriefing going forward.

Respectfully submitted,
PREET BHARARA
United States Attorney for the
Sout rn District of New York

By:

H. Cowley
Assistant United States Attorney
[phone]/2193/2479

cc:

Anand Raman, Esq., counsel for the Oldford Group, Ltd., Rational Entertainment Enterprises
Ltd., Stelekram Ltd., PYR Software Ltd.; and Sphene International Ltd. (by email)
Eliot Peters, counsel for Howard Lederer (by email)
David Angeli, counsel for Rafael Furst and Telamonian Ajax Trust (by email)
Jon Harris, counsel for Christopher Ferguson (by email)

SO ORDERED:

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The Honorable Leonard B. Sand
United States District Judge

I While PokerStars consents to the relief requested in this letter, PokerS tars has indicated
that it will be opposing the July 18 Motion.

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