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Betonsports "Not Guilty" Plea entered into record by U.S. judge, with a February 2nd deadline


As we went to press this week news was coming in that Betonsports Plc., the British Internet bookmaker facing charges in St. Louis, Missouri, had a "not guilty'' plea entered for it by a federal judge five days after the company told its lawyer to skip an arraignment on illegal interstate wire gambling charges.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Ann Medler in St. Louis federal court entered the plea for Betonsports on Wednesday, according to court records. Her ruling subjects the company to the court's February 2 deadline for filing any pre-trial motions.

"There may be some rulings made along the way and some rights compromised,'' as a result of Medler's order, a Manhattan defense attorney who has worked on Internet gambling cases opined. "The company cannot be tried in absentia.''

The St. Louis U.S. Attorney's office did not respond to voicemail or e-mail messages seeking comment.