Charges against Sportingbet exec dropped

LOUSIANA – As reported by the Louisiana Advocate: "Internet gambling charges against an executive with a British company were dismissed Tuesday in exchange for $400,000 after extradition issues left the case nearly impossible to prosecute, St. Landry Parish District Attorney's Office announced.

"State Police, working with St. Landry prosecutors, had secured warrants in May in an investigation that focused on Sportingbet PLC, a company that operates out of England, where online gambling is legal.

"The company's former chairman, Peter Dicks, was arrested on a Louisiana warrant in September in New York.

"But Dicks was freed because New York law allows extradition only when the accused was physically present in the state where the alleged crime was committed.

"Dicks could have been arrested had he set foot in Louisiana, but prosecutors did not expect that to happen any time soon.

"…He said the $400,000 — delivered by check Tuesday morning — will be shared by his office, State Police and the state Attorney General's Office…"