Absolute Poker Pot Ripper “Super Account” Scandal

Letter From Absolute Poker followed by open letter from another tribe at time he was Chief of Kahnawake.

I am the former Grand Chief of the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake and the owner of Tokwiro Enterprises ENRG, which holds a 100% interest in Absolute Poker.

As many of our players are aware, there has been a security breach in our system that allowed unlawful access to player information that resulted in unfair play. I am writing to you today to let you know what we know so far in order to set the record straight, and to assure you of AP’s commitment to player security. I am sure that this letter will not address all of the questions and concerns you may have, nor will it extinguish the heated discussion surrounding this issue. At this point, our intention is to let you know all we can disclose and to assure you of our continued efforts to keep you informed as best we can as the investigations continue.

We deeply regret this situation has occurred. A breach in security in online poker is serious and of great concern to players and the industry worldwide, and this particular situation has been the subject of debate within the poker player community and in the media, giving rise to the creation of several websites and hundreds and hundreds of comments, opinions, and theories of what occurred – some of which are accurate, and some that are not.

Like you, I have not been happy that during the initial stage of our investigation, AP has not been more forthcoming in providing a timely or comprehensive explanation on this matter, giving rise to anger, suspicion, and concern on the part of our valued customers. I hope that our customers can appreciate that this remains an incredibly complex and sensitive issue, and I want to give you my strongest possible assurance that we will be as forthcoming as possible on how this breach occurred and what we are doing to remedy the situation.

What We Know and Actions We Have Taken

AP was notified by a customer that a possible cheating incident occurred during a recent tournament, and in response forwarded players’ hand logs. This disclosure of the hand logs prompted our customers to determine that a more serious security breach had occurred. We immediately launched an internal investigation and also requested a formal audit by Gaming Associates, an acknowledged world-wide expert in audits, interactive gaming tests, and information security.

Based upon our preliminary findings, it appears that the integrity of our poker system was compromised by a high-ranking trusted consultant employed by AP whose position gave him extraordinary access to certain security systems. As has been speculated in several online forums, this consultant devised a sophisticated scheme to manipulate internal systems to access third-party computers and accounts to view hole cards of other customers during play without their knowledge. As this consultant was aware of the details of our fraud detection process, the likelihood that the scheme would be uncovered through our normal procedures was minimized. We consider this security breach to be a horrendous and inexcusable offense.

We will pay for all losses suffered by the affected players as soon as our audit is finished and the amounts are determined. Although we are in the process of attempting to recover all the winnings of this consultant, any unrecovered losses of affected players will be paid by Absolute Poker so that all affected persons will be made whole.

Next Steps

We are still investigating whether the consultant was acting alone or in concert with others, and it appears at this time that all account holders are innocent of collusion and were unaware of any wrong-doing by the consultant, who was immediately terminated. We continue to investigate this matter aggressively, and all of these preliminary findings are subject to the audits currently underway. We have recently uncovered additional accounts used by the consultant that have not been publicly reported. So as to not compromise the investigation, we are not releasing the names of these additional accounts at this time, and will contact these affected customers individually.

The specific allegations of unlawful activity are being investigated both by AP and by the authorized authorities, including the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. We will continue to actively cooperate with these authorities in full compliance with the Regulations Concerning Interactive Gaming. In addition to our own investigation and the audit by Gaming Associates, we have also submitted to an audit by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

Please be assured that we have corrected the problem that allowed the system to be unfairly manipulated. We are working furiously to increase the safeguards within our systems. While we are satisfied that our systems are secured, we realize that our security systems must be continuously monitored and enhanced.

Without question, this incident has been unfortunate for all concerned, and we will emerge as a stronger company. I realize it will take some time and much more information for AP to re-earn the trust and confidence of our customers who are in doubt of our commitment to the highest levels of security, privacy and integrity. As we move to address and correct this situation, our valued customers have played a vital role in uncovering this scheme through various online forums and have become an active part of the solution.

With my full sincerity, I thank you, and I promise to keep you updated as we bring this situation to a close.

Sincerely,

Joe Norton

The proceeding was a letter sent to the players of absolute poker. I did some research (on Google) on Chief Norton. The second ranking topic on his name is an open letter:

She:kon Chief Norton:

We the good people of Kanesatake find it hard to believe that another Mohawk Chief would make the statements you did on the 5:30p.m. 940 news station (radio) on May 6, 2004.

Let me inform you, since you are not very well informed of the truth. You seem to only listen to the criminal element of Kanesatake.

The motivation of Our Chief, James Gabriel, came from the people of Kanesatake, who signed a petition informing both Quebec and the Federal Governments, that we, the people of Kanesatake, want the police force left as is. We, the honest people of Kanesatake, want the bad people reprimanded for crimes within our territory. Look at what has been happening; the criminals turned on Larry Ross and wanted him fired for doing his job of cleaning up. Next came Terry Isaac, who was also doing his job of cleaning up the crime. Once again the criminals ran him out. Therefore, the criminal turned on Chief Gabriel.

When police were brought in to start a clean up, the criminal element once again took over and kept some sixty police hostage. Meanwhile, you were dealing with the Minister of Quebec and the criminal elements, who do not represent this community.

You and the Minister brought in your non-recognized police force, not to back up the police force held hostage, but rather to escort the GOOD GUYS out, leaving the bad people to ravage and steal from the police building and intimidate Band Employees. (Very good job Joe)

‎Then you didn’t want your supposed police sworn in. The courts wouldn’t recognize your so-called cops and no investigation and evidence would be accepted by the courts.

Well, you finally decided to swear in your make believe cops. But still to no avail. Wc, the people, question as to what your boys did. They were here to collect large sums of money and live healthy at the 640 motel; Mr. Norton, you say Mr. Gabriel is very hungry! Chief, with the greatest respect, but we know how many nights your good guys backed their cars into the garage and sleep all night, in order to be able to work on your territory the next day.

I wonder who is the real money hungry person!!!

I also would hope that you would have only good wishes and prayer for Chief Gabriel, whose family was burnt out of their home. I ask you, Chief Norton, what if this would happen to you and your family?

Chief Gabriel has kept his calm and still doesn’t want violence, but still lives off this territory and can’t even get in to start his new home.

Chief Norton, how could you begrudge this man his life with his family in his own home. Chief, feel lucky you can go home!

The people of Kanesatake are fed up with your interference in our territory. You as a Chief should be working with the Chief and the majority of the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake, rather than working with the criminals.

With respect to you as a Chief, govern your own territory and not anyone else’s, especially other criminal elements.

Our people, elders and children are suffering due to the criminals in Kanesatake.
Help fight the crime and not assist in helping make them stronger.

Our people need economical growth
Our children need education, not missing school or standing on criminal barricades.
Our elders need to pass on the essence, of their very being, not locked and afraid to come out.

‎If you can’t help us grow and develop, don’t help us at all!!!

Nia:wen

Open eyed owl
Open letter to chief Norton”

I have one big question to ask the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and Absolute Poker. Should someone who has created a online poker regulatory service own 100% of an online poker room? If this was in Pittsburgh and you were a councilman for the city. They will not let you own more than 2%
of a casino opening up in the city…… Yet he owns 100% of Absolute which owns Ultimate bet too! I see this has a conflict of interest and a disclaimer should be posted right away on Absolute Poker!