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A high ranking Malaysian government official has intervened in a federal case involving poker pro Paul Phua and his son Darren. Phua is a Malaysian businessman who is facing prison time and potential deportation back to his native country.
From the Las Vegas Review Journal:
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Malaysia’s minister of home affairs, sent a letter earlier this month to Deputy FBI Director Mark Giuliano in Washington rebutting FBI claims that the lead defendant in the high-stakes betting case is tied to a powerful Chinese crime syndicate known as the 14K Triad.
“As such, to assist both your department and Mr. Phua’s legal teams, based on our information, Mr. Phua is neither a member nor is he associated with the 14K Triad,” Hamidi wrote.
“Moreover, according to our records, Mr. Phua has on numerous occasions assisted the government of Malaysia on projects affecting our national security and accordingly we continue to call upon him to assist us from time to time, and as such we are eager for him to return to Malaysia.”
The case has gained worldwide attention for the way in which FBI agents were able to intercept the Phuas alleged operation.
Federal agents dressed as computer repairmen in order to gain access to computers used by the father-son tandem.
Attorneys representing the Phuas claim the FBI ruse was unconstitutional.
The Phua case made Gambling911.com’s Top 10 Stories of 2014 at number 5. A judge is slated to hear the matter in the coming weeks. The trial date has been rescheduled from January 12 to February 9. This is likely to be an even bigger story in 2015.
- Nagesh Rath, Gambling911.com
