Key Players

The cheating scandals at Absolute Poker and UltimateBet illustrate the shadowy industry of Internet gambling, but also the determination of players to hold unregulated online operations accountable. A look at several key figures on both sides of the scandals:

THE PLAYERS

Todd Witteles

a.k.a "Dan Druff," the veteran online poker player complained to Absolute Poker officials in 2007 after losing to suspicious player "Greycat."

Marco Johnson

a.k.a. "Crazy Marco," requested his hand histories from Absolute Poker after losing $428,520 in the final round of a 2007 tournament to suspected cheater "Potripper."

Serge Ravitch

Former attorney turned online poker player, led investigation into Absolute Poker cheating along with Nat Arem.

Nat Arem

Former auditor for consulting firm Deloitte Touche, traced account information in Absolute Poker hand histories to the company's founder.

David Paredes

New York hedge fund investor and UltimateBet player, grew suspicious after losing $70,000 in a series of games to suspected cheater "NioNio" in 2007.

THE GAMERS

Joseph Tokwiro Norton

Former Grand Chief of the Mohawk tribe and owner of Absolute Poker and UltimateBet, he has denied any knowledge of cheating at either site.

Scott Tom

Founder of Absolute Poker who sold the business to Joe Norton in October 2006; the poker detectives traced IP addresses and e-mail accounts apparently belonging to Tom to his Costa Rica home.

Michael Delisle

Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake.

Frank Catania

Former New Jersey gambling official who helped the Kahnawake write their Internet gaming regulations; recently hired by the commission to investigate Norton in the UltimateBet and Absolute Poker scandals.

Photos: The Washington Post, The Montreal Gazette, CBS News/60 Minutes

washingtonpost.com

Nation

Investigations

Inside Bet