{"id":10297,"date":"2020-09-17T18:37:55","date_gmt":"2020-09-17T18:37:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onlinepokeramerica.com\/news\/?p=10297"},"modified":"2020-09-17T18:37:57","modified_gmt":"2020-09-17T18:37:57","slug":"stones-gambling-hall-and-kuraitis-cleared-in-alleged-cheating","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onlinepokeramerica.com\/news\/stones-gambling-hall-and-kuraitis-cleared-in-alleged-cheating\/","title":{"rendered":"Stones Gambling Hall and Kuraitis Cleared in Alleged Cheating"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The alleged cheating scheme facilitated by Stones Gambling Hall<\/strong> in Citrus Heights is finally coming to an end with a $30 million lawsuit<\/strong> reaching a conclusion with the majority of plaintiffs accepting the terms of a newly-brokered deal between all parties involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It took a year, but finally an \u201camicable settlement\u201d has been reached, confirmed Maurice \u201cMac\u201d VerStandig<\/strong>, a lawyer who took the case including some 90 plaintiffs<\/a> who alleged that Stones Gambling Hall and Mike Postle<\/strong>, the player who was allegedly cheating but was acquitted earlier this year, had been cheating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Postle was winning 94% of his hands in games hosted by the venue. As it turns out, though, no foul play had been involved, VerStandig said on behalf of 60 plaintiffs, with the rest still considering whether to submit an amended complaint by October 1, 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The settlement effectively led to the dismissal of the case against Justin Kuraitis<\/strong>, a Stones\u2019 live poker manager, who was accused of facilitating the cheating that supposedly took place during the live games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After reviewing the footage closely, though, even VerStandig said that he and the plaintiffs were sure that there had been no cheating on behalf of Postle, the venue or Kuraitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBased on our investigation, we are satisfied that Stones and Mr. Kuraitis were not involved in any cheating that may have occurred. While Stones has not spoken publicly regarding the details of their investigation during its pendency, its counsel and Mr. Kuraitis\u2019 counsel have been immensely cooperative behind-the-scenes.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Nevertheless, Richard Pachter<\/strong>, attorney for Justin Kuraitis cautioned that the settlement was not final and that there were plaintiffs who may choose to pursue the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Previously, the case was dismissed by a federal judge in Sacramento<\/strong> who argued that under California law, lawsuits to recover gambling losses may not be filed. The plaintiffs had to amend their complaint and filed it again which eventually led to this week\u2019s settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The case has had its twists and turns. Mike Postle, the player around whom the entire case was focused on was not mentioned in the settlement. He was acquitted previously and now that Stones Gambling Hall and Kuraitis are in the clear, the case can finally be settled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is unless the remaining plaintiffs choose to pursue the case further and resubmit an amended complaint. Veronica Brill<\/strong>, a recreational player, was the first to throw the first punch at Mike Postle arguing that his winning streak, with Postle amassing some $250,000<\/strong> between July 2018 and September 2019, was due to cheating with the help of someone at the casino.<\/p>\n\n\n\nVerStandig and Stones Gambling Hall Settle Amicably<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Not All Plaintiffs Have Accepted Settlement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n