08:09
29 Jan
Billy Joe ‘Bildo’ Taylor, the Arkansas poker player described as “a special kind of fish”, is due to be sentenced on March 8th for his part in a $130million Medicare fraud scheme.
43-year-old Taylor pled guilty last year to felony charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, striking a deal with prosecutors that saw his financial liability reduced from an initial $88million down to $38million.
Known as “Bildo” in poker circles, Taylor had his share of success on the livestreamed TCH cash game show at the Texas card House, though good fortune rather than great play was to the fore…
He also popped up in the $50k buy-in Seminole Hard Rock high-roller event and other tournaments, with no notable success.
Whatever sums he did win or lose in poker, however, paled into insignificance when his role in the Medicare fraud was revealed, including a staggering $42million in alleged Covid-related fraud.
His three-and-a-half year stint between November 2017 and May 2021 as owner and operator of a number of medical testing laboratories saw him bill Medicare for tests that were never ordered, required, or carried out, some even involving dead people.
The presiding judge in his case, U.S. District of Western Arkansas Judge Mark E. Ford, was set earlier this week for March 8th, where Taylor faces up to 20 years in prison.
Poker pro Sportsbetting Fraud
Another poker pro, WSOP bracelet winner Corey Zeidman, is still awaiting trial for his part in an alleged $25million fraud scheme that targeted sportsbettors.
Zeidman is accused of luring customers with false information about events in which the results were said to be “fixed” and charged clients for the information.
Using the business name The Phoenix Organization, Zeidman is said to have operated the scheme from January 2004 to March 2020, pulling in $25 million from customers.
United States Attorney Breon Peace stated last year: “As alleged, Zeidman defrauded his victims, stole their life savings and persuaded them to drain their retirement accounts to invest in his bogus sports betting group, all so he could spend it on international vacations, a multi-million dollar residence and poker tournaments.”
Peace added: “Today’s indictment serves as a reminder to all of us to be wary of so-called investment opportunities that purport to have inside information, as they are really a gamble not worth taking.”
Zeidman, who won the 2012 WSOP $1500 Stud8 bracelet event, pleaded not guilty to charges of felony charges of wire fraud/mail fraud and money-laundering conspiracy.
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