While we are more ready than ever to the finalisation of the transaction between the Groupe Bernard Tapie (GBT) and Full Tilt Poker, this is only a new brick falls on the players and could compromise the conclusion of the agreement. Indeed, while the GBT is full audit prior to the conclusion of the transaction, one of the lawyers of the Group Bernard Tapie, Behn Dayanim, said yesterday that many pros players had a substantial sum to Full Tilt Poker. It is a very unpleasant surprise to the Bernard Tapie group, which thus view a financial situation of the company Full Tilt Poker worse than expected.
The Bernard Tapie group would have contacted most of the players, but most of them have not expressed their intention to repay this debt. These players include Phil Ivey, Layne Flack, David Benyamine, and Erick Lindgren (while Barry Greenstein, Mike Matusow and other players need smaller amounts), for a sum totalling between $ 10 million and $ 20 million.
According to Behn Dayanim, the players were contacted and most of them have expressed their lack of willingness to repay this debt. These disputed assets jeopardise the conclusion of the agreement since the GBT is unwilling to acquire assets that will have to be liquidated afterwards. Some pros said be desired pay only if the money went to the reimbursement of the players... so the GBT want to be paid in order to conclude the agreement and cause the refund of the players.
So far, only Barry Greenstein responded publicly to the GBT. He said:
"I borrowed $ 400,000 to play on Full Tilt Poker a few years ago, before PokerStars has portions highstakes. I did not repay this amount, hoping that some people who had money and who had money at Full Tilt Poker reimburse me so that I can use that money against this debt (to this day, my debt is $ 150,000). I assumed that when this matter will be resolved, the DOJ will have a way to deal with this debt against Full Tilt Poker.
The GBT contacted me to ask me if I wanted to pay them directly. Their lawyer gave me the option of paying in installments so that I can have a chance to use the money it is due to the repayment of the debt. He even gave me the opportunity to reduce my debt if the American players are not paid in full. I told him that I have never paid less that I have on a debt and I prefer to wait for the U.S. Justice Department to establish a background for US players. I do not believe that my debt has an impact on the sale to the GBT, as it is understood that the GBT will not be one who pays money to US players. […] ».
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