Conflict of Interest?

[Temp Hutter]

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I know Lyle, and I have 100% confidence that nothing shady is going on, and that nothing shady will ever go on. Having said that, I think he shouldn't play in WPT events, as it does give the "appearance of impropriety". It doesn't matter that he is trusted and is not cheating, since some people MIGHT view it as a possibility, and such a rumor would hurt his business, he should sit out these events. At least, I think that is the smarter decision for him.

Later, Greg Raymer (FossilMan)

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Lyle got moved to my table a couple hours into the first day so I got the chance to play with him for the better part of 8 hours (and he busted me on day 2, but that is a different story). I do not think there is an actual conflict, but I asked him about this appearance of a conflict. He told me that it was the subject of a lot of debate at the WPT and that after all of the discussion and talks with the lawyers that he was cleared to play.

The year before, Brad Berman made the final table and he is also a board member of the WPT. When the players sat down with Steve Lipscomb for the final table walk through I said to Steve that I wanted to formally lodge a complaint because Brad is a member of the WPT board. I said this with a straight face and after he looked me over for a couple of seconds I smiled and he realized I was joking and he quickly laughed and moved on. I can imagine that some of the talks that they had had at HQ went through his mind for a quick second.

Temp