Extradition hearing for former Sportingbet chief Peter Dicks postponed until later today
Friday 29th September 2006
New York court officials including Governor George Pataki and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer have postponed the extradition hearing of former Sportingbet chairman Peter Dicks until later today, in order to allow themselves more time to come to a decision.
The US criminal court in New York delayed the hearing which will determine whether Mr Dicks will be extradited to Louisiana to face charges of unlawful gambling by computer.
Peter Dicks, who resigned as chairman of Sportingbet two weeks ago, was arrested in New York on September 7 at John F Kennedy International Airport at the request of Louisiana state authorities.
Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco signed the extradition order on Wednesday after consulting with local law enforcement officials and the district attorney.
In a statement released by her deputy press secretary she said, 'We must enforce Louisiana laws, which clearly prohibit online gambling. If we don't enforce this law, online gambling would be completely unregulated and that is clearly an expansion of gambling and that is unacceptable to the governor.”
On Sept. 14 New York Governor George Pataki's office refused to honour a request to have Dicks extradited to the state of Louisiana, allowing Mr Dicks to return home to England before returning for a second extradition hearing.
Peter Dick’s lawyer, Barry Slotnick added, 'He advised about financial matters, however I don't know if he can tell the difference between a slot machine and a horse race. He's got nothing to do with gambling or gaming. The company that he's on the board of is a holding company.'
