Action to Retrieve Poker Players Money

One of two payment processors which had funds seized by the US Department of Justice over online poker winnings has gone to the Federal District Court to get the money back, news agencies reported last week.

Account Services Corporation filed documents in San Diego on June 11. The company said federal authorities had seized around $14 million from three California bank accounts in June, most of which belonged to around 13,800 online poker players.

Account Services said $1 million held in two Union Bank accounts in San Diego were seized without a warrant on June 12.

According to documents the DoJ seized the money based on "exigent circumstances" that it did not specify at the time of the seizure.

Advocacy group Poker Players Alliance said the money was part of more than $30 million recently frozen by the DoJ from payment process. The Associated Press quoted the group as saying it planned to file a motion to join Account Services Corporation in court.

"Any action contesting the government's seizure of players' funds will help protect the rights of US Internet poker players, and we will explore every legal avenue to ensure that our members' voices are heard and their rights are protected," said PPA Executive Director John Pappas.

Howard Stern PPA Member
Also this week, Howard Stern has become a member of the PPA. He immediately invited former Senator Alfonse D'Amato onto his show.