CHICAGO (CN) - A Maltese gaming company says talk show host Montel Williams backed out of a deal to let it run the Web site for his International Poker League. Guardian Gaming says Williams then pocketed its $300,000 investment.
Williams agreed to grant Guardian 25 percent ownership of his company in exchange for $600,000 and the opportunity to run the League's Web site, according to the Federal complaint.
But after it paid an initial $300,000, Guardian says Williams chose another company to run the site.
Williams then refused to refund Guardian's money, instead offering to repay the money in stages, as the League "gathers investment capital," the lawsuit states. Guardian says it rejected that offer.
Williams launched the League in April 2008, and acts as its commissioner, the lawsuit states.
Guardian wants its money back and damages.
It is represented by Barry Irwin with Kirkland Ellis.
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