A Malaysian businessman under indictment in the US in connection with an alleged gambling ring that was busted this summer at Caesars Palace has been accused by federal prosecutors of bribing a Macau police officer to secure his release prior to coming to Las Vegas.
Papers presented in federal court in Las Vegas and cited by the South China Morning Post claim that “Paul” Phua Wei Seng, allegedly the ringleader of the operation, which authorities say was conducted out of high-roller suites at the Las Vegas Strip resort, paid the policeman up to HK$5 million (US$641,000). The documents are reported to include phone transcripts from Mr Phua’s son “Darren” Phua Wei Kit, also a suspect in the Caesars Palace probe, which allegedly state that between HK$4 million and $5 million would secure his father’s release.
Mr Phua, whom US authorities claim is a high-ranking member of the 14K Triad, an Asian criminal organization, was freed within hours of his arrest in Macau in June on suspicion of illegal gambling. It is reported he then flew to Las Vegas in a private jet, where he and seven others named in the US indictment set up and ran an elaborate computerized betting operation during the World Cup.
The indictment alleges the operation commenced 6th June and was running up to 13th July, the day Mr Phua and the other suspects were arrested by FBI agents in three Caesars Palace suites.
The casino is not a target of the investigation.
Mr Phua, who denies the charges, and his son were freed on $2.5 million bail posted by celebrity poker pro Andrew Robl.
The others freed on bail include Malaysian “Richard” Yong Seng Chen, reportedly an Asian casino junketeer well-known on the international poker circuit, whose $1.5 million bond was posted jointly by 10-time World Series of Poker Champion Phil Ivey and Dan Cates, another big-name poker player.
Mr Yong’s son Yong Wai Kin also was released on bail.
A fifth defendant, Hui Tan, reportedly a Hong Kong real estate executive, was ordered released on $1.5 million bond.
Two more big-time poker players, Gabe Patgorski and Tom Dwan, were reported at the time to have agreed to allow the Yongs and Mr Tang, respectively, to stay at their Las Vegas homes in their custody under court-ordered restrictions that include electronic monitoring, no gambling and no use of devices that access the Internet.
