Eric Conti Dealt 8-Year Prison Sentence

(Photo: Twitter.com)

Eric Conti, a once promising poker talent who allegedly cheated backers out of thousands of dollars, is incarcerated in a Florida prison after receiving an eight-year bid on two counts of attempted sexual battery.

The tale gets even more sordid when it was discovered that the victims - twin boys - were apparently adopted by Conti and under his care. He was arrested in Brevard County, Florida on two counts of lewd and lascivious battery in July, 2014 after the boys came forward and stated that the molestation began when they were 12 and continued for three years, according to Wesh.com.

Sentence

Conti finally received his comeuppance on December 16, 2016 with sentences of eight years on each of two counts for Attempted Sexual Battery by an Adult on Victims Less Than 12, per the Florida Department of Corrections website. The sentences appear to run concurrently, as Conti has a probable release date of June 26, 2022.

It is unknown if Conti posted bail after the charges were filed against him in 2014. The news report announcing his arrest makes mention that the judge "more than doubled" his bail amount at that time. Conti appeared before the judge in that news report wearing an anti-suicide blanket, indicating possible mental instability following his arrest.

Pissed Off Backers

Should he survive prison and get released in June 2022, Conti's troubles likely won't be behind him. It's very possible that a bunch of pissed off poker players will be waiting outside the gates of the Wakulla Correctional Institution to greet Conti when he once again tastes freedom.

Prior to the WSOP in April 2011, Conti sought backers for the festival via a post on 2 + 2. He put together a package of 16 WSOP events with buy-ins totaling $47,000 at a 20% markup ($9,400), looking to sell 80% of his action.

Seeking a Stake

"Hi everyone, my name is Eric Conti. I am 34 years old and have 4 boys including 12 year old twins I adopted 2 years ago. I have been playing professionally online for about 5 years now," stated the 2 + 2 'WSOP Bracelet Run' post.

Conti goes on to name a few of his online backers and posts some impressive online stats under the moniker 'OnlyPlayRagz' on PokerStars and Full Tilt.

"I have won Sunday majors on both sites in no limit ( Sunday Warmup, Sunday Brawl win and hu chop), and have won a WCOOP bracelet in razz, and got 2nd in FTOPS razz, along with many other wins and final tables. Because of my kids, my live schedule has been limited, but I did go to Vegas last year and I played in just 3 WSOP events and cashed in 2."

Quickly Sold

A couple of posters vouched for Conti's credibility and his action sold out in two days, including an additional event not part of the 16-tournament package. One backer gobbled up all 80% of $10K HORSE, adding another $8,800 to Conti's take.

The 2011 WSOP began and Conti apparently played in only one tournament, according to a forum poster. He finished 39th in $2,500 8-Game for $5,740, per the Hendon Mob database.

Where is Eric?

Much of the rest of the 2 + 2 thread is a litany of posts from concerned stakers, wondering what happened to Conti and why he was not providing any updates from the WSOP in Las Vegas. The words "scumbag" and "thief" were soon tossed around frequently when it became apparent that Conti made off with the cash.

Unbeknownst to to his 2011 WSOP backers, Conti's credibility was in question as early as 2010 when he apparently failed to make good on a stake deal.

The backers who have been looking for Conti since 2011 now know where to find him - Florida's Wakulla Correctional Institution.