KAPLAN EXTRADITED TO MISSOURI (Update)

6 April 2007

Peurto Rican judge authorises removal of BetonSports founder

Classified as a flight risk by the Puerto Rican judge before whom he appeared this week in an extradition hearing, BetonSports founder Gary Stephen Kaplan will soon be on his way to Missouri in the custody of FBI agents to face 22 criminal charges.

US federal judge Marcos Lopez, presiding over the hearing said that Kaplan, who was arrested March 28 in the Dominican Republic and brought to Puerto Rico, poses a flight risk and should not be freed on bond pending his transfer from the U.S. island territory, Associated Press reports.

Kaplan's attorney, Maria Sandoval, said the businessman would seek to be released on bail after he is taken to Missouri, where he faces charges arising from a U.S. Department of Justice initiative which has crippled the company and left its former CEO, David Carruthers on bail and awaiting trial in St. Louis for the past eight months. Thousands of players are still awaiting payment, which the Antiguan authorities are helping to facilitate when funds become available.

Kaplan (48) was named in a 22-count criminal case alleging fraud and racketeering.

Federal prosecutors indicted BetOnSports PLC last year for allegedly breaking a 1961 law by allowing U.S. customers to gamble and place sports bets over the phone and online. The company later closed its U.S. operations.

Kaplan and 10 others, including Carruthers, have been indicted with racketeering, conspiracy and fraud and face calls to repay more than US$4 billion in alleged betting profits. Prior to the bail hearing US attorney for the eastern district Catherine Hanaway said from Missouri: “This was a worldwide search, and thanks to the assistance of many law enforcement agencies this fugitive will soon be back in St Louis to face the charges.”

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa

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