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Maurice Hawkins has amassed over $7 million in live poker tournament earnings to go along with 24 rings over his career
He had entered into a settlement with poker pro Randy Garcia to pay back a six figure debt but apparently stopped paying it
A 24-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit gold ring winner with nearly $7 million in lifetime tournament earnings has just filed for bankruptcy.
Maurice Hawkins of St. Louis is reportedly blaming much of this on a six figure debt owed to fellow poker pro Randy Garcia.
According to a Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy (Case 26-15116-EPK) obtained by PokerNews, Hawkins, through his attorney Michael A. Kaufman, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Thursday, April 23, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida.
As if this situation couldn't get any more crazy, Hawkins had just won the WSOP Circuit Elgin Event #3: $400 NLH for $17,419 and his record 24th ring just a few weeks ago.
He is also coming off the best two years of his poker career in terms of results ($741,937 in tournament earnings in 2025 and $853,068 in 2024).
As for that $6 million debt, a settlement had been entered into whereby Hawkins agreed to pay $2,500 by the 30th of every month until $30,000 was repaid. Hawkins allegedly stopped paying.
Last November, a video surfaced whereby Hawkins is seen getting pummeled during a poker game.
BREAKING
MAURICE HAWKINS GETS BEAT UP IN POKER ROOM pic.twitter.com/txZOBlUItd— Rob Kuhn (@RobKuhn_) November 28, 2025
The source who shared the video, who wished to remain anonymous, said the incident took place during a private poker game in Palm Beach County in southeastern Florida. The source said the fight stemmed from "Maurice running his mouth about how good of a boxer he is, poking and talking shit to another player who had enough."
The source added that Hawkins is required to pay up front to play in the game, while other players are allowed to play on credit.
A player in the game, Tray Rock, told PokerNews that it was "a totally unprovoked attack" by a player named Eugene that had nothing to do with a poker hand or Hawkins' alleged poker debts.
"Maurice and I said we were of African American nationality and Eugene said that's not a nationality he googled it," Rock said. "And Maurice was (like) so what. What you wanna do Box about it and Eugene walked from the 2 seat to the 7 seat and started punching Maurice while he was sitting down."
- Nagesh Rath, Gambling911.com
