United States District Judge Loses Patience With Betonsports Management

BetonSports company directors are now in deeper trouble since they have refused to appear at a United States Court to answer charges regarding Internet gambling as they were ordered to do last December 28th.

It was reported by the Bloombergs business news service that company which is listed on the London stock exchange, is purportedly caught up in US accusations regarding racketeering and the violation of interstate gambling laws. The refusal to appear led to charges of contempt of court in that they failed to respond to the charges when their US lawyer was not able to convince the directors to appear in Judge Carol Jackson's US District court.

In St. Louis last Friday, Judge Jackson found the company for contempt of court for their violation of the order of the 28th of December to appear in court. The prosecution requested that a daily fine be made against the company until such time as a company representative might come forth.

Jeffrey Demerath, who is Betonsports' St. Louis counsel, contacted the judge's chambers telling them that his clients had instructed him to not appear in their behalf. Demerath voiced his belief that Betonsports' actions are unacceptable and represent a disregard for the court's order without any excuse.

Last summer BetonSports, which is based in London, was indicted along with then CEO David Carruthers and company founder Gary Kaplan, in addition to nine other individuals. The prosecution is asking for a forfeiture by the company of some $4.5 billion.

On January 11th, in behalf of the company, a not guilty plea was entered.

In November, Demerath and another corporate attorney, signed with federal prosecutors, a civil consent agreement making it possible for Judge Jackson to issue an order which permanently bans Betonsports from carrying out business within the U.S.

Last month, with the approaching arraignment of the company on the criminal charges scheduled, Demerath informed the court that his clients had told him to not respond to the charges.

In court papers requesting that Judge Jackson make the finding of contempt of court, finding, assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Fagan said that Betonsports' decision indicates that the company’s management is neither dead nor in a coma, but that it is instead acting definitely and with contempt.

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