Poker tournament used restitution in fraud case

Monday, May 17, 2004 | 8:45 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

A man scheduled to be sentenced in a New Jersey court Friday for masterminding a nearly $2 million illegal investment scheme was instead at Binion's Horseshoe playing poker, according to published reports and tournament records.

Brian Strahl, 29, of Staten Island, N.Y., came in 11th place and won $10,820 in the Seven Card Stud World Championship, according to a casino report on the winners. The $5,000 buy-in tournament is part of the World Series of Poker held annually at the downtown casino.

Strahl also ended the day with a bench warrant from Superior Court Judge James N. Citta, who called Strahl a "a degenerate gambler."

Instead of appearing before the judge, Strahl faxed Citta from Las Vegas to say he was playing in the World Series of Poker to win money to make restitution to his victims. The letter said he had made $5,000 so far.

New Jersey Deputy Attorney General Rodger J. Wolf told the Asbury Park Press of Neptune, N.J., that sentencing dates for Strahl and codefendant Ilya Fikher of Brooklyn, N.Y., had been adjourned in the past so the two men could try to come up with more funds for restitution. The defendants had appeared in court to request the adjournments on those occasions, Wolf said.

Strahl's lawyer, Michael Chazen, said his client attempted to return from Las Vegas Friday, but had misplaced his ID and was not allowed on board his flight.

In the letter Strahl faxed to Citta, he said he planned to take a train that would arrive on the East Coast today.

Sun reporter

Dan Kulin contributed to this report.