The inaugural Epic Poker League got off to a shaky start in August after Chino Rheem won the competition, while a number of fellow pros were busy complaining about being scammed or short-changed by the player, including Will “molswi47″ Molson, Tom “durrrr” Dwan, Ben Lamb, and Joseph Cheong.
Now a few weeks later, and the drama continues after Michael DiVita qualified for the EPL Main Event after finishing 8th in the EPL Pro-Am event, only to later be blocked from registering for his tournament seat at the Palms Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Monday.
Michael DiVita was subsequently stripped of his $20,000 seat at the Main Event and refunded his original $1,500 buy-in for the preliminary qualifier, before being escorted off the premises. His prize was then transferred to 10th place finisher Jamie Kaplan.
At the heart of the controvery, allegedly, is the fact it was brought to the attention of the Epic Poker League that Michael DiVita is a registered sex offender with a conviction dating back to 1991 for; “Assault with intent to commit a specified sex offense, annoy or molest child under 18 years of age, sexual battery and sexual battery involving a restrained person.”
It also transpires that Michael DiVita was arrested in 2008 on a similar charge which was then dropped after the victim refused to testify.
It has since been speculated that the decision to disqualify DiVita was probably taken outside of the EPL’s Standards & Conduct Rules, and probably came in response to pressure brought to bear from other players in the league.
As season one of the Epic Poker League enters it’s second month of operation, the series of poker tournaments is also getting known for producing some pretty epic off the table news stories, too.
This is incredible. Unless it was clearly stated in writing that convicted criminals may not participate in any Epic Poker League events then he should have a pretty hefty law suit in the works here. This BS club just payed this man off and he didn’t even step to the final table.
I hope he files a major law suit against everyone.
They should lose thier shirts over this, it’s insane to kick him out because of an old conviction.
I thank all of you for your support. I can’t believe the number of calls that I’ve received from people like yourselves, along with several professional Poker players and Celebrities that I’ve play with in various Charity Poker events. Several of them have advised me on these issues, but I’m not going to take any immediate action against EPIC Poker or against Federated. I have discussed these matters with an attorney for EPIC, and I’m sure that they will eventually do the right thing.
For right now, I’d like all of the Poker players, and all of the Poker fans out there, to continue to support Federated and the EPIC Poker League. Although I do not agree with their recent decision regarding my situation, anger and bitterness towards them will only bring things to a level of immaturity that is best left behind, as it would serve no useful purpose to anyone.
To the remaining players of the current EPIC Poker League Main Event, I wish you all the best of luck, and with a little luck of my own, ill see you at the next Final Table.
God bless, all…
I don’t like Sex Offenders but I do know that this is wrong to blame him. What is next for epic poker league, minorities can’t play?.
If you see this, DiVita, there are plenty of people fighting back against legal abuse and discrimination. Registrants have the right to contribute to society, and (I have to disagree with you on this) I think that EPIC/ Federated should both compensate and apologize publicly. I’d sue if I had your resources but that’s just me.