Maguire and his pals are no-limit Texas Hold ’em players …
A dozen high-profile Hollywood celebrities, including Spider-Man actor Tobey Maguire, reportedly were active participants in an illegal high-stakes gaming ring that operated from 2006 to 2009.
Maguire, 35, was implicated in the underground poker activity by Beverly Hills hedge fund manager Brad Ruderman, who has been charged with orchestrating a Ponzi scheme to bleed money from investors in order to support his heavy gambling habit.
An FBI investigation revealed that the Ruderman Capital Partners CEO lost $25 million of investors money in secret poker games at Beverly Hills Four Seasons and the Viper Room on Sunset Boulevard.
Other frequent celebrity players, according to Radaronline and Star magazine, include Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Nick Cassavetes, Gabe Kaplan, Rick Salomon and occasionally Leonardo DiCaprio.
In a court deposition, Ruderman testified that Maguire is a “very, very frequent player”, and that he paid the actor $311,300 with investors funds after suffered heavy losses during a 2007 game.
Under California law, it’s illegal to play for money at underground poker clubs. The fund trustees want their improperly-diverted funds back and Tobey has hired a lawyer who will defend the allegations, arguing that the games were not illegal.
According to a lawsuit filed against Maguire in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in L.A. (see docs here), the games were described as exclusive events, by invitation only, that drew wealthy celebrities, attorneys, businessmen, and entrepreneurs. They were operated without the proper licenses or permits.
None of the other alleged players have been implicated in illegal activity.
Developing story…
Photos: WENN