2006 World Series of Poker sixth place finisher, Richard Lee, has been charged after an investigation into a bookmaking operation in San Antonio. Lee’s home was raided after police suspected him of being a lead subject in illegal bookmaking. During the raid police confiscated millions of dollars in property that they thought were connected to the operation or were bought from profits of the operation.
Four other men have also been named with charges along with Lee. The charges faced are negotiated misdemeanor charge of gambling promotion. The consequences for these charges are a $4,000 fine and up to one year in jail. One of the men charged is Lee’s son-in-law Lawrence ‘Larry’ Joseph Davenport. The three other men are Matthew Colburn Winslow, Marco de Carlo Hernandez, and Daniel Ortiz. They will be arraigned on November 7th and the men could possibly earn a plea deal. District Attorney Susan Reed is possibly working on plea deals and she has also filed papers to try and permanently confiscate the cash and property taken during the raid and investigation.
The majority of cash and property taken during the investigation was Lee’s property. Susan Reed hopes to maintain at least 80% of the value of the items seized. Some of the items taken into evidence were a 2005 Lexus LX470, 2005 Mercedes S430, 2004 Toyota 4Runner, designer handbags, electronics, jewelry, sports memorabilia, watches, almost $2.7 million and a currency counter. Lee has stated that the $2,803,851 was from his winnings during the 2006 WSOP yet the District Attorney’s office is still in dispute with Lee’s lawyer over the matter.
Betbsbnow, the Internet bookmaking site, was one of the reasons Lee was investigated. The site was registered in Costa Rica but according to authorities was being operated by Lee. During the investigation, Lee was reported as being the ‘biggest bookie’ or ‘the chinaman’ according to locals. Lee has stated to News 4 WOAI when asked if he was an online bookie he stated; “Like I told you before, I’m not going to stand here today and try to embellish or to comment on something like that because at this time in my life I haven’t been formally charged with any crime.”
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