An alleged payment processor pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges he participated in a multibillion-dollar internet gambling conspiracy with the three largest US online poker sites.
Chad Elie, one of 11 charged in a nine count federal indictment handed down Friday, entered the plea after hearing the charges listed by US Magistrate Judge Frank Maas in Manhattan.
Elie was arrested in Las Vegas Friday. He was released to marry former Playboy Playmate and model Destiny Davis in Las Vegas Saturday, and then he voluntarily surrendered for his arraignment in New York Tuesday.
As a payment processor, Elie was alleged to have lied to US banks that did not want to process the money paid to PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker by US residents for fear of violating the Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
He was also charged with money laundering and wire fraud. Maas warned the defendant he could face charges later of “aiding and abetting” the others in the alleged scheme.
Bradley Franzen, another alleged payment processor from Illinois, pleaded not guilty to the same charges Monday.