27 May
Yesterday’s allegations of sexual assault, racism, and sexism behind the scenes of the Poker Night in America TV show took a new turn after two of those accused of “abhorrent and inexcusable behavior” decided to engage legal representation.
In addition, well-known poker pro, Shaun Deeb, took to the popular ChicagoJoey podcast to air his own defence and views on the scandal which has erupted, claiming:
I don’t know what’s going on in her head…it’s not in my character to act this way.”
The furore has also seen Matt Glantz, the show’s adviser and former contestant, release a statement saying:
…I can say with 100% confidence I have never seen or heard of any actions like that of what Jaclynn is describing.”
In addition, Jaclynn Moskow will take to the air today to support her allegations and has offered to provide this writer with proof to back-up her story following today’s interview, (So stay tuned for the Pokertube exclusive).
Yesterday’s Claims
What Dr Jaclynn Moskow described in her blog posting yesterday was explosive, accusing the show’s creative director Nolan Dalla of sexist behavior and what appears to have been a sexual assault: allegedly ‘motorboating’ her at an after-show party in front of cheering witnesses alleged to include 888 representative Chris Capra.
She also accused the show’s on-screen host, Chris Hanson, of making an anti-semitic remark and then detailed inappropriate racial comments made by Dalla and sexist remarks from fellow poker pro Shaun Deeb.
In addition, Dr Moskow claims to have been offered sums ranging from $5000 to $20,000 to sign a ‘non-disclosure agreement’, something she has refused to do – instead deciding to expose the behavior she claims to have been subjected to.
Lawyering up
After initially responding publicly, claiming that “…the horrific allegations made by Ms. Moskow are so ludicrous and out of character for me…”, Nolan Dalla yesterday retained the services of Linda Kenney Baden, who released a statement reading:
I am announcing that I am proudly representing Nolan Dalla and Chris Hanson as personal counsel in this matter. The upset of being accused of a sexual and racial wrongdoing has been clearly obvious by some emotional responses predating my formal involvement. But as of now, there will be no other statements coming from them.”
The involvement of Ms Kenney Baden has in itself sparked debate as she was also involved in the Poker Night in America show at the centre of the allegations. Her announcement yesterday continued:
My interest in this matter was piqued because my name was mentioned in the original blog post since I had been a participant in the Poker Night in America Game at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh in November 2014.”
However, she then adds a Twitter exchange she had with Dr Jaclynn Moskow shortly after the show’s filming which “never mentions sexual harassment or racial discrimination”, claiming that barring this ‘omission’ from Moskow, “I would have declined such representation”, presumably on the grounds of conflict of interests.
Although Ms. Kenney Baden claims to have represented “many cases on behalf of victims of sexual and racial discrimination” she also points out that there is “an alternate and just as important side of the coin: allegations of sexual and racial misconduct easily ruin a person’s reputation, marriage, career, children etc.”
She adds:
Social media is not the place to engender sympathy as it can lay basis to false conclusions based on what I label a “mass media hysteria conviction syndrome.”
Social media has been awash with the allegations, Dr. Moskow herself using a blog to announce her allegations in a piece entitled ‘Racism & Sexual Harassment: The Reality of my Experience on Poker Night in America’.
Twitter has seen the likes of famous poker pros Justin Bonomo and Vanessa Selbst coming out in defense of the right to make allegations without providing 100% proof immediately, or at all, although Jaclynn Moskow does in fact claim to have proof of many of the allegations, stating:
Should any parties publicly proclaim that I am being dishonest, I will then release relevant documents.”
Deeb speaks out
In response to his alleged role in the PNiA controversy, Shaun Deeb, yesterday, appeared via live link on the ChicagoJoey podcast and proceeded to deny that he had ever behaved inappropriately or made sexist statements to Dr. Moskow.
According to Moskow’s account of what happened after the Dalla ‘motorboating’ incident:
That night on my way back upstairs to my hotel room I passed Shaun Deeb. Unprompted, he informed me that, “women will always be inferior poker players” citing, “you are all too emotional” as his reason. Yes, the same Shaun Deeb who mockingly dressed up as a woman and played in the ladies event at the World Series of Poker.”
Deeb was strident in his denial that any such meeting or conversation took place, telling podcast host Joe Ingram (aka ChicagoJoey) that “It’s just not in my character to behave this way,” and revealing that he believes a previous incident and ongoing dispute with Melissa Burr – an apparent friend of Dr Moskow – may be behind the decision to include him in her allegations.
Speaking out in defence of the others named in Moskow’s allegations, Deeb stated:
It makes no sense to me – it would have happened at some other time. She had four negative experiences, negative reactions in a short period,” adding, “I don’t know what’s going on in her head.”
With Jaclynn Moskow due to appear on the same ChicagoJoey podcast this afternoon, she will doubtless have the same opportunity as Deeb to back up her claims – host Joe Ingram coming across as a very open and objective interviewer.
Matt Glantz statement
Yesterday afternoon also saw the Poker Night in America adviser and player scout enter the affray, with a statement which began:
I work with a lot of great people associated with the show and I can say with 100% confidence I have never seen or heard of any actions like that of what Jaclynn is describing. No other men or women have ever complained to me about any person associated with the show. This is a really difficult position to be in. As player liaison for the show I feel ultimately responsible for anything dissatisfaction the players have regarding the show,” Glantz explains, “I am in no way attacking Jaclynn. In the one or two instances I had the pleasure of meeting her, she seemed like a very nice and interesting person.”
However, he also points out that in his experience:
The people who have been accused of these despicable acts are in my opinion good people. From my interactions and experiences, these people have been nothing but professional and show the greatest of character. It pains me to imagine being in their place right now.”
Although not present during any of the alleged incidents, Glantz stated:
What I do know is that I would stake my reputation on each of the four people accused that there was no malintent by any of them in whatever actually happened.“
He then questions four of the points which have arisen from Dr Moskow’s allegations, the main one of which centres around the ‘payments’ she has apparently been offered over the past 18 months.
Glantz states:
In her blog, she left out the fact that when the lawyers offered her a $15k package to play in two future events to cover buy-in and travel, she countered with a $100k cash demand to settle the matter. That is a big omission to her narrative. This excerpt from an email she wrote me December 2015,” which apparently states, “I deserve to be compensated for what I endured while taping the show – for the groping, the sexual harassment, the anti-Semitic remarks, etc. I would consider monetary compensation and/or paid seats on all future ladies and other mixed shows like Jessica gets (this time harassment free). This type of resolution would have to happen quickly, as I have no interest in dragging this out any longer.”
In Nolan Dalla’s responses yesterday, before taking legal advice, Dalla claims to not have been involved in, nor aware of, any discussions of ‘financial compensation’ – a point which many have found difficult to believe but others seem to think may just be standard practice.
Dalla and Hanson’s lawyer Linda Kenney Baden stated that:
Everyone knows that hundreds of thousands of cases are settled yearly because of economic reasons both prior, during, and even after court litigation. It is simply cheaper to settle a case for economic value.”
Moskow’s ‘proof’ coming soon?
Jaclynn Moskow, however, claims to have proof of apologies being made by 888 rep Chris Capra for Dalla’s behaviour, where Dalla allegedly ‘motorboated’ Moskow – “he proceeded to thrust his head directly into my chest and cleavage and shake it back and forth,” is how Moskow describes the alleged assault.
When discussing possible reparations and signing non-disclosure agreements with Marco Leal, who works in HR for Rush Street Gaming, Moskow claims:
His first offer to me, in exchange for signing a release stating I would not speak about what occurred on the show, was to appear on Poker Night this coming August at Hard Rock, along with a $5000 “appearance fee” or, alternatively, to take a $7500 cash settlement.”
After apparently being told later that Dalla was denying the events took place, Moskow adds:
I brought up the fact that I had text messages that were sent between Capra and myself, in which he acknowledged what occurred, apologized for Hanson’s remarks, called Dalla’s behavior— which he witnessed— “inexcusable,” apologized for “instigating it”, and then was so kind as to jokingly suggest that maybe I needed Linda Kenney Baden, an attorney who also appeared on the show, with me at the bar.”
Dr. Moskow then “suggested that Leal obtain the text message records from either Capra’s cell phone carrier or my carrier (as I know the texts exist and I have nothing to hide.) In fact, I emphatically encouraged him to obtain the records. In my possession, I still had a physical iPhone with these messages attached to his cell phone number and let Leal know he was free to take a look at that, as well.”
Whether this is the “proof” which Dr. Moskow has claimed she will reveal to journalists (including me) after the ChicagoJoey podcast today remains to be seen, but if true and verifiable it will call into question many of the denials which have been circulating over the last 24 hours.
