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Another extension for NETeller Co-Founders

It looks like the founders of Neteller got granted some breathing room again. The US government has asked for another 30-day extension for the case involving NETeller co-founders Stephen Lawrence and John Lefebvre. The judge hearing the NETeller case has re-scheduled the hearing for April 16, 2007 according to an announcement by the Information Office of the United States Attorney, Southern District of New York.

This is supposedly the third extension that has been granted and many are wondering why this keeps being postponed. Lawrence and Lefebvre were arrested in the USA in January and charged with conspiring to transfer funds with the intent to promote illegal gambling. Even though NETeller has been operating for quite some time now, the feds decide they want to take action, and may be taking the heat for it. The Patriot Act has a lot to do with it now and the freedom that was given to the residents of the United States is being seriously questioned.

NETeller funds belonging to U.S. customers are now frozen and being held as evidence in the case. They announced that the amount of frozen assets belonging to players are in excess of 55 million dollars and are co-operating with the US Government to arrange release and repayment of the frozen funds.

Online poker players who are frustrated by the lack of communication and progress in the release of their NETeller funds have formed a group, called the NETeller Consumer Coalition, to help accelerate repayment of their funds. The group is even considering legal action against NETeller.

Posted: March 19, 2007

ex-NETELLER Directors Charged

Neteller Prosecutors Given A Third Continuance

All parties involved agree to a further delay of one month

Reporters covering the hearings in New York against Neteller founders John Lefebvre and Stephen Lawrence today (Friday) returned to their publications empty handed as the Department of Justice team were granted a further extension until April 16. Earlier, court officials had hinted that this would be the case.

Department of Justice spokesperson Rebekah Carmichael told reporters that the extension had not been opposed by the two Canadian men, who have had to put up massive bail following their arrests by the FBI in January and are confined to the New York city limits until the case has been finalised.

US players whose monies remain frozen in the Neteller debacle will have to remain patient - the continuance means that the current freeze on their funds is likely to continue. PokerPages.com reports that The Neteller Customer Coalition, based on Yahoo!, a consumer grouping affected by the big freeze with roughly 250 members, has over $750 000 in limbo, with more than a dozen individuals owed amounts up to $20 000 or more each.

Coalition founder Goldstein is quoted as saying: "These are the kinds of figures that can keep a killer legal team motivated. There's still thousands of other Neteller customers who don't know about us." He claimed that nevertheless new members were signing up at a rate of 30 – 40 new members daily.

Goldstein is reportedly angered by both the US government’s stance and Neteller’s apparent passivity.

“Between Neteller and the Department of Justice thousands of citizens who have done nothing wrong have millions of dollars being confiscated without any real explanation or means of resolution,” he said.
 

Posted: March 21, 2007