As Rheem played the Epic Poker League's $20,000 main event, details emerged that Rheem owed multiple notable poker pros money and hadn't been paying them back in good faith. In the wake of the win, fans assumed that the $1 million prize would satisfy his debt and leave Rheem with some of his prize.
According to PokerNews, Rheem did not take home $1,000,000 because he was backed for 70 percent (forum posters speculate by Rheem’s One Drop hat that his backer was the founder of that charity, Guy Laliberté) and 10 percent was reserved for charity (as part of the staking agreement). That left Rheem with 20 percent, perhaps less because it was rumored he had swapped 8 to 10 percent with another participant in the tournament. If all that is correct, Rheem would have earned $120,000 for his win.
The remaining $120,000 was dispersed to numerous poker pros who had lent money to Rheem and hadn't seen it back for many months. Allegedly Ben Lamb and Erik Cajelais were paid in full, while most others received only 10-20 percent of what they were owed.
Add onto that frustration, the Epic Poker League announced that Rheem is now on probation until his outstanding financial obligations are met as they bring disrepute on the EPL and violate the Player's Code of Conduct.
During the formation of the Epic Poker League, the Standards & Conduct Committee made a policy decision that any personal conduct that occurred prior to the League’s formation would not affect initial eligibility of a league member. The Committee, however, communicated to the League members that subsequent to the start of League play, the Committee would enforce discipline against any League member who violated the League policies, including the Players' Code of Conduct, or the law. As a result of ongoing personal financial obligations incurred prior to the League's formation but impacting the League during the Inaugural Epic Poker League Main Event, the Committee has voted to place David “Chino” Rheem on probation in order to effectively monitor the personal conduct of Mr. Rheem as he works to meet his personal financial obligations as required under the Players' Code of Conduct. Under the integrity and Honor principles of the Player's Code, meeting "financial responsibilities on time and honoring contractual agreements" is required to maintain eligibility. In reaching its decision, the Committee recognized that Mr. Rheem used best efforts and all of the proceeds he personally received from winning the Inaugural Epic Poker League Main Event to partially satisfy outstanding financial obligations.
By order of the Committee, Mr. Rheem must continue to proactively repay his outstanding debts by, from this point forward, using any and all proceeds Mr. Rheem personally receives from personal poker winnings worldwide to satisfy all of his remaining financial obligations in an orderly fashion. In addition, Mr. Rheem must continue to report to the Committee regarding his compliance with the terms of his probation. The probation period will remain in effect until Mr. Rheem has satisfied his pre‐league formation financial obligations. Failure to do so or any subsequent violations of league policies or the law by Mr. Rheem will result in immediate suspension of Mr. Rheem from the League.
EPL officials were clear to insist that behavior and actions taken before the league didn't affect eligibility, but actions taken since the launch will be dealt with appropriately by the Standards and Conduct Committee.By order of the Committee, Mr. Rheem must continue to proactively repay his outstanding debts by, from this point forward, using any and all proceeds Mr. Rheem personally receives from personal poker winnings worldwide to satisfy all of his remaining financial obligations in an orderly fashion. In addition, Mr. Rheem must continue to report to the Committee regarding his compliance with the terms of his probation. The probation period will remain in effect until Mr. Rheem has satisfied his pre‐league formation financial obligations. Failure to do so or any subsequent violations of league policies or the law by Mr. Rheem will result in immediate suspension of Mr. Rheem from the League.
Stephen Martin, an Independent Ethics Advisor and Chair of the Standards and Conduct Committee added "He has to proactively repay all of his debts, and he has to do that from any personal poker winnings worldwide he receives until all his remaining financial obligations are paid, and it has to be done in an orderly fashion because we want to avoid having a situation as described earlier."
