NETeller hearing scheduled for Friday

14 March 2007

By Ryan McLane

NETeller co-founders Stephen Lawrence and John LeFebvre are scheduled to appear in court on Friday, but that doesn't mean a hearing will take place, said Rebekah Carmichael, a spokesperson for the Southern District of New York U.S. Attorney's office.

One of three things can happen in the time period between being charged for a crime and being indicted on the charges, Carmichael said. The charged person(s) can be indicted, not indicted, or the decision can be extended.

The NETeller co-founders, who are being charged with a list of crimes that include money laundering, have seen their court date extended twice.

"Essentially it's a calendar place-holder," Carmichael said. "It means that one of those three decisions will be made by Friday."

FBI agents arrested the NETeller co-founders in January on money laundering charges in relation to the e-wallet's role in transferring U.S. funds with the intent to promote illegal gambling.

Both men have posted bail and are restricted to the Southern District of New York until the matter is settled.

Ryan McLane

Ryan McLane was a poker reporter for Casino City. Although he has a strong background in reporting, the same can't be said for his poker skills. He has never won a major tournament nor is he a professional player. He applied for this job thinking it was a joke, only to find it out that it's true, people will pay you to write about poker. His favorite word is ridiculous.

After receiving his BA in History from Stonehill College in Easton, MA, he somehow ended up freelance reporting for a couple years before being deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom III with the Massachusetts National Guard. He's back now and is a strong advocate of the phrase "God Bless America."

Currently, Ryan lives in Boston and occasionally makes international treks to cover tournament poker and news. Feature writing is his passion and there is no need to ask for his opinion, he'll probably offer it first - free of charge.