Full Tilt Poker Files Motion to Dismiss Clonie Gowan Suit

Tiltware LLC, the parent company of online poker's number two brand, Full Tilt Poker, has filed a Motion to Dismiss in a lawsuit brought by one Cycalona "Clonie" Gowen this past November.  Ms. Gowen alleges - among other things - that she was a partner in Full Tilt and is yet to be paid amounts promised.  Other breaches include breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment, and fraud.

From PokerNews.com:

The motion to dismiss on behalf of Tiltware, L.L.C. asserts that the originally named players are erroneously included and asks for them to be removed from the action, while also alleging that the lawsuit itself is wrongfully constructed, and even if it had merit, would be a "relatively simple breach of oral contract" with Tiltware and only one of the defendants, Raymond Bitar.

Gowen alleges that when she signed on as a Full Tilt pro back in 2004, she was promised a 1 percent ownership of the company.  As part of the arrangement, Clonie would appear on tournament circuit dressed in Full Tilt Poker garb and approached the company on television - for no added compensation beyond her supposed 1% stake in the company.

In 2007, Ms. Gowen alleges she was paid only a fraction of what was owed.  Full Tilt Poker CEO, Howard Lederer, gave her a $250,000 check.

Gowen, whose live tournament winnings to date totaled just over $1.5 million, is seeking damages of $4 million.  Full Tilt Poker is estimated to be worth $4 billion. 

Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher