Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
A Tallahassee attorney and a professional poker player have settled a lawsuit filed last year over what’s known as “staking.”
A notice of settlement was filed in Leon County Circuit Civil court last week, records show.
Hal Lewis, a name partner in the Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay personal-injury law firm and a poker aficionado, said the terms of the deal are confidential.
In his complaint, Lewis said he fronted “large sums of money” to poker player Maurice Hawkins of South Florida. Hawkins later lost over $22,000 of that bankroll in unauthorized side gambling, Lewis’ lawsuit said.
In professional poker, “staking” is when a “poker investor (‘the backer’) puts up money on behalf of a poker player (‘the horse’) in exchange for a cut of the profits,” according to an Upswing Poker article.
“The backer typically assumes all the risk: Any money the horse loses is on the backer,” the article says. “But if the horse wins, the profits are shared according to the terms of the poker staking contract between the parties.”
Hawkins played and lost, the suit said. He told Lewis he wanted to quit the staking deal and give back $22,788 that was left — but he couldn’t because he also lost that money on personal bets outside of the deal, according to the suit.
“I just busted,” Hawkins allegedly said in text messages, copies of which Lewis had attached to his complaint.
Hawkins had previously disputed Lewis’ account, telling Florida Politics he owed the attorney nothing and that Lewis was just being a “big bully.”
Evening Reads
“Supreme Court vote on travel ban considered victory for South Florida Venezuelans” via Christian De La Rosa of the Associated Press
“Separated immigrant children in Florida will be ‘expeditiously’ reunited with family, official says” via Skyler Swisher of the Sun Sentinel
“Rick Scott: ‘No budget? No pay!’” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Andrew Gillum talks about FBI probe with Washington Post podcast; Scott Maddox pushes back” via Jeffrey Schweers of the Tallahassee Democrat
“Agriculture candidate Matt Caldwell snags NRA’s first statewide endorsement” via Bruce Ritchie of POLITICO Florida
“Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, opponent Jeremy Ring debate cryptocurrency” via Marco Santana of the Orlando Sentinel
“Carlos Curbelo on Donald Trump travel ban: ‘Discontinue this misguided policy’” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics
“South Florida Democrats lurch left with call to abolish ICE” via Alex Daugherty of the Miami Herald
“John Morgan hints at ballot initiative for marijuana legalization” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
“Study: New law should mean more Florida kids in diversion programs” via Kathryn Varn of the Tampa Bay Times
Quote of the Day
“We must not summarily reject an entire region of the world, and we should never use any religious test. I urge the administration to discontinue this misguided policy and instead … continue our tradition of welcoming those who are persecuted.” — U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, a South Florida Republican, reacting to the Supreme Court’s affirming of President Donald Trump’s travel ban largely applying to Muslim-majority countries.
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Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
Gov. Scott and the Florida Cabinet will hold a conference call and are expected to appoint a replacement for Drew Breakspear, who recently announced he was stepping down as commissioner of the state Office of Financial Regulation. That’s at 8 a.m., to be televised on The Florida Channel.
The Strategic Planning Committee of the state university system’s Board of Governors will continue a review of the annual accountability plans for the 12 state universities. That’s at 8:30 a.m., University of Central Florida Fairwinds Alumni Center, 12676 Gemini Blvd. North, Orlando.
Scott will speak during the opening ceremony of the Florida Association of Counties annual conference. That’s at 9 a.m., Hyatt Regency Orlando, 9801 International Dr., Orlando.
The Gulf Consortium Board of Directors, which works on issues related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, will meet in Orange County. That’s at 2 p.m., Hyatt Regency Orlando, 9801 International Dr., Orlando.
A campaign kickoff event is scheduled for Democrat Debbie Katt, who is running in Hillsborough County’s House District 57. Katt is trying to succeed Rep. Jake Raburn, a Lithia Republican who decided against seeking another term. That’s at 6 p.m., Joia Fabulous Pizza & Martini Bar, 10475 Gibsonton Dr., Riverview.
