Chapter Two of the Clonie Gowen vs. Full Tilt saga could be even uglier than the first.
The online poker giant has launched a return volley straight for the heart of their former representative. Gowen, who filed suit in November of 2008 after she was released from her contract, claims that she was offered a 1% stake in the company. If this were true, she would be entitled to a return of approximately $40 million. Full Tilt has added a lawsuit of their own to the mix, requesting that Gowen make a statement in which she disavows her claim of owning any stake in the company.
The entire incident was sparked by Full Tilt’s proffered buyout of $250,000 upon the termination of her contract.
According to PokerPlayer.co.uk, there is no monetary motivation here “besides court costs and legal fees.”
One of the world’s top female poker players, Gowen signed on with Team Full Tilt in May of 2004. She claims that the 1% offer came during a meeting held in Phil Ivey’s suite at the Golden Nugget, presided over by Howard Lederer. The stake, she states, was offered as payment for future promotional services, including her representation of Full Tilt at live tournaments and events.
Because Gowen’s supposed 1% offer has not been verified on paper, it appears as though she may be losing this fight. Not content simply to go after the company as a whole, she added Full Tilt faces Howard Lederer, Phil Ivey and Patrik Antonius to her personal naughty list.
Gowen’s original lawsuit was dismissed in May of 2009, but she was allowed to refile her grievances against Tiltware LLC, Howard Lederer, and Raymond Bitar. That particular suit was again denied this past November, though it appears that Gowen will be allowed to present her case for a third and final time.
So what lesson can be learned here? When signing on for a new position, always get the details in writing.