Mediation Settlement Reached in Maurice Hawkins Financial Dispute with Poker Backer
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Maurice Hawkins learned the decision from a mediator who stepped in to rule on a financial dispute between the poker pro and a former backer, Denise Pratt.
The World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) ring record holder shared a screenshot on X of a summary prepared by Akin Opesanmi, the mediator, and the results were quite beneficial to Hawkins as "no conclusive fault" was determined this time around. However, more drama ensued as Pratt claimed that by releasing settlement details, Hawkins was in violation of a confidentiality agreement.
Hawkins has faced multiple accusations of refusing to repay backers, most notably Randy Garcia, who won a 2022 civil judgment in Florida against the longtime tournament grinder. In related news, Hawkins has also come to an agreement with Garcia to satisfy that judgment.
Claims Against Poker Pro
Pratt, in May 2025, appeared on the PokerNews Podcast to share her side of the story involving unpaid debt accusations she made against Hawkins. She said she had backed the Circuit crusher "off and on for several years." During that time, text messages indicated, she loaned Hawkins around $11,000.
That money was never repaid, Pratt claims. In the interview with PokerNews' Chad Holloway, she explained that part of the dispute is over the terms of the backing arrangement and the allocation of funds loaned. Hawkins claims she had simply bought action on his tournament play as opposed to a traditional backing situation where the player would be responsible for repaying the losses through future tournament cashes.
"I don't understand how someone could mistreat people," Pratt said of Hawkins, whom she wanted to help while "he was broke."
Pratt, in a viral video last year, confronted Hawkins near a payout desk following a tournament cash. The poker player didn't pay her any money, however, and responded with "I don't owe you s**t."
Here's What the Mediator Determined
Hawkins has denied owing money to Pratt for the past year. Both parties agreed to mediation, and that is where Opesanmi stepped in to review the evidence. The mediator wrote out his determination, which Hawkins posted on X.
The core dispute taken into consideration "centered on the intended use and allocation of funds provided by Denise to Maurice for participation in poker tournaments, as well as associated travel and lodging expenses," the summary read.
Mediation lasted seven months, and the final ruling, which both parties signed off on, found that "no conclusive fault determined" and that "text evidence indicates ambiguity."
Pratt had argued that text messages indicated that "makeup" had been discussed, meaning they had agreed to a regular backing deal as opposed to buying action. But the mediator found that "communications between the parties reflected ambiguous and inconsistent understandings regarding permissible fund use. While some texts emphasized tournament entries, others suggest prior coverage of travel-related expenses, leading Maurice to believe broader use was acceptable."
The mediator also reviewed financial transactions between the backer and poker player, and found that "it is not possible to definitively determine fault on either side."
"Denise did provide funds that she believed were exclusively intended for tournament entries. Maurice acknowledged receiving the funds, but believed, based on prior practice and lack of formal agreement, that the funds could also be applied to hotel, transportation, and incidental expenses," the summary states.
Both parties have agreed to move forward without further claim against each other. Pratt, through Dan "Jungleman" Cates, released a statement.
Pratt wrote that Hawkins violated a non-disclosure agreement by publicly releasing the arbitrator's findings.
"I intentionally de‑escalated and brought the proceedings to an end because protecting lives truly matters to me. The situation surrounding Maurice Hawkins had become too toxic, too volatile, and too unsafe to justify continued involvement," Pratt wrote.
Hawkins was recently involved in a private poker game fight at a house in Florida. He engaged in a debate over his nationality that led another player in the game, Eugene Castaneda, to walk around the table and attack the WSOP Circuit superstar.
Did Hawkins Break Confidentiality Agreement?
While the arbitration findings put an end to the situation between Pratt and Hawkins, the former contends that the latter was legally out of line in making the settlement public.
“Maurice Hawkins’ decision to publicly release confidential arbitration findings—despite a clear nondisclosure agreement—marks yet another violation of a legally binding commitment,” Pratt said in a statement. “This was a deliberate breach, not an accident, and it reinforces a long‑standing pattern of ignoring formal agreements. Given his history of defaulting on prior legal and financial obligations, this latest violation only deepens public skepticism about his credibility and professionalism. At this point, many in the poker community are asking the same question: should anyone be surprised?”
PokerNews obtained a copy of the “Binding Arbitration Agreement” dated 5/26/2025, which revealed that arbitration was conducted virtually, and in the sixth section titled “Confidentiality,” it states:
"The arbitration proceedings and any related documents or communications shall remain confidential, unless disclosure is required by law or necessary for enforcement of the arbitration award."
Additionally, in an email dated Dec. 10, 2025, the arbitrator reminded both Hawkins and Pratt that by signing the arbitration agreement that “you both agreed that arbitration would be the final and binding agreement and it would be fully confidential.”
It does appear that Hawkins did, in fact, break a signed agreement by refusing to keep the settlement document confidential.
New Deal with Randy Garcia
Back in 2019, Randy Garcia called out Hawkins for failing to live up to a backing agreement. At the time, a final judgment was issued by the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida. Case No. 502019CA000052XXXXMB awarded Garcia a $115,828 judgment.
It has been an ongoing saga, and now PokerNews has confirmed with Garcia that he has agreed to Hawkins' proposal of repaying $40,000 at $2,500 a month, at which point the judgment would be considered satisfied.
Hawkins has 21 Circuit rings, most in history, and one more than Ari Engel owns. He has over $6.7 million in live tournament cashes, The Hendon Mob's database indicates.
