The Gambling Industry vs. International Card & Game Players - A Trial Memorandum
Summary:
The civil action filed in Pima County Superior Court, at the behest of the Pascua Yaqui Indian Tribe, is seriously flawed. And we have prepared this memorandum for the court in order to insure that everyone has a clear picture of our perspective of the history surrounding this specious lawsuit.
And additionally, we want to relate for the court the unprofessional conduct of the Arizona Department of Gaming, and see if the court feels as we do; that this agency’s conduct has at best been inappropriate, and at worst constitutes police harassment. And while ADOG is not a party to the suit; the plaintiffs are responsible for soliciting their help, and funding them—partly with money confiscated from our sport’s prize purses. Read more
December 26th 2008
Phoenix, Arizona
TO: Barbara LaWall
Pima County Attorney
Tucson, AZ
FM: Harold Lee
Founder of the International Card & Game Players Association, Inc
RE: The bona fide business of poker and malicious prosecution
Dear Ms. LaWall,
I realize that it is highly unusual for a potential defendant, with pending felony charges, to address directly the prosecuting authority. But, as you will soon discover, this is a very unusual case. Our primary strategy from the beginning of the Poker War has been full disclosure and transparency; especially to prosecutors. The policy has served us well.
And we must advise you that we adamantly deny that we have done anything criminal in over three years of operation. In fact, we believe we can prove to any court or jury that the true victim in the case before you is the ICGPA, and its professional poker players. Poker is a lawful and statutorily protected profession and avocation in Arizona.
And, I will assert at this time: I am aware of my right to a lawyer and have chosen to waive it regarding this case. I have been duly advised by very competent lawyers of the dangers attending my decision to waive my right to counsel. Two of them I consider friends, since they have had to endure not only my obsessive behavior in defense of the sport of Poker—they have had to wade through all of my written pronouncements as well. Read more