Misconduct within the United States federal government has resulted in the remaining evidence of the Paul Phua illegal gambling case to be tossed out of consideration. United States District Judge Andrew Gordon ruled on Tuesday that the evidence that remained against Phua, a wealthy businessman of Malaysia, would be removed from the table.
After a hearing lasting two hours, Gordon dismantled the government’s case, after giving federal prosecutors until noon Friday to disclose if they would be dropping conspiracy as well as illegal gambling charges against Phua. The defendant was set to go on trial by the 15th of June.
Gordon has promised a?ruling in writing and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cristina Silva stated the government will not be making a decision until they see the written order. Defense attorney David Chesnoff stated the ruling by Gordon in the case will keep the prosecutors from using evidence that FBI obtained during a raid of the Caesars Palace villas which took place on the 9th of July in 2014.
Chesnoff believes the ruling will send a message that illegal searches will not be tolerated in Nevada. The raid was conducted due to an FBI investigation into an illegal multi-million dollar betting ring which was allegedly taking wagers on the World Cup soccer tournament. Just last month, Gordon ruled that the search of the villas was in violation of Phua’s privacy rights as the agents posed as Internet repairmen to gather evidence.
Prosecutors still can ask Judge Gordon to reconsider his most recent decision or approach the United States 9th Circuit Court of Appeals located in California to try and overturn the ruling to keep the case alive.