Richard Lee Charged in Bookmaking Scandal

Richard Lee, who was flying high in the summer of 2006 after placing 6^th in the Main Event of the World Series of Poker, has been formally charged with running an illegal gambling operation from his home in San Antonio.  Officially, the charge has been negotiated to the misdemeanor “gambling promotion,” which carries with it up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. 

Lee’s home was raided last August by San Antonio police, as they searched for evidence of the gambling operation.  Among the items seized were $2.7 million, three high-end automobiles, jewelry, electronics, and perhaps most importantly, receipts for payouts from Lee’s alleged sports book.  Law enforcement officials say that the money was from the sports book operation, but Lee claims it is from his $2.8 million payday at the WSOP. 

The operation in question was the website, www.betbsbnow.com, which, while registered in Costa Rica, is supposedly operated by Lee and others.  According to those in the know, Lee was a big shot in the San Antonio bookmaking scene. 

Richard Lee and four other men, including his son-in-law, Lawrence Joseph Davenport, will be arraigned on November 7.  Plea bargains are a possibility.