Poker News Bytes: March 25, 2008

Fifth Suspect in Delaware Poker Robbery Surrenders

The fifth and final initial suspect in the robbery of a country-club poker game that was allegedly orchestrated by a Delaware State Patrol officer has now surrendered to authorities. Timothy Longstreth, 28, of Stone Harbor, New Jersey, is now being held on $246,000 cash bond and faces 11 felony charges including first-degree robbery, possession of a firearm during a felony, wearing a disguise during a felony and conspiracy, plus two misdemeanor counts. Longstreth was described as a childhood friend of HyunJin Kim, the former state trooper who also faces felony charges and has since been terminated from his job. A recent Delaware report suggests that more arrests may be forthcoming. According to DSP spokseman Jeff Whitmarsh, "Detectives are still piecing this investigation together. There are many people involved."

Foxwoods Unionization Hearing Postponed

A scheduled National Labor Relations Board to examine union complaints of unfair labor practices at Connecticut's Foxwoods Resorts Casino has been postponed indefinitely after "fruitful negotiations" appeared to have been taken place between the United Auto Workers union, recently elected to represent Foxwoods dealers (including poker), and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, which operates Foxwoods. The two sides appeared on a collision course last week after Mashantucket Pequot announced its attentions to ignore union calls for government intervention by asserting claims of tribal sovereignty. According to NLRB assistant regional director John Cotter, if a settlement is reached, then the NLRB will enforce some aspects of the settlement, while leaving other matters between the casino and fledging union.

Danish UIGEA-Style Bill Up for Vote?

Reports from Danish poker-forum discussion participants suggest that instead of being permanently shelved, a new bill likely to draw European Union ire over monopolistic market restrictions is set for a start-of-April vote. The new version of the rumored bill is alleged to include both a UIGEA-style ban on Internet payments to "blacklisted" online gambling sites, and an exclusive Netherlands license for the state-run Holland Casino. A similar proposal was pulled back last month from a pending vote in the Danish Senate.