Full Tilt Poker Nelson Burtnick Arrested

Nelson Burtnick landed in the U.S. this morning at Newark Liberty Airport after arriving from Dublin, Ireland.  Burtnick was taken into custody by federal agents but released hours later on $500,000 bail after pleading not guilty to bank fraud, money laundering, and operating an illegal gambling business.  This came on the same day that PokerStars and the U.S. Department of Justice came to an agreement that appears to close the book on the Full Tilt Poker collapse that left players owed $350 million.

Burtnick is not the only member of the Full Tilt Poker management team to come to the U.S. to face charges.  Ray Bitar surrendered to authorities on July 10th.

The timing of the Burtnick surrender is interesting considering today’s announcement that Full Tilt Poker players can expect to be repaid in full.  Also of note is that Burtnick also has additional charges pending against him from his management position at PokerStars.  These charges were unsealed on the same day that Bitar turned himself in to U.S. authorities.

Full Tilt Poker players should expect the poker room to reopen in November.  Players in the US, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Belgium and Estonia will not be able to play on the new Full Tilt Poker.  Players in the U.S. will need to file a remission with the Department of Justice to receive their funds while players in the other countries will find their balances transferred to PokerStars.