CARTER LAKE - The Chez Paree intends to offer a second Texas Hold'em poker tournament this weekend. The Department of Criminal Investigations said it is reviewing the matter after one of its agents observed the tourney last weekend.
David Richter II, one of the organizers, said the first weekend's crowd was lower than hoped for, but he said the threat of some possible legal action may have kept some players away.
The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals says the tournament is illegal. Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber disagrees.
DIA spokesperson David Werning said they had a staff person at last weekend's tournament and shut down the kitchen. Organizers were offering free hot dogs, pop and chips at Friday's session.
Werning said current operators do not have a license to serve food.
Accompanying the DIA was a Department of Criminal Investigations official.
Julie Hamilton of the DCI said her agent picked up some written materials at the tournament and her office is evaluating the material and what took place to see if there is a violation of Iowa law.
"We are working to determine the most effective course of action to take," Hamilton said. She said she was not sure if any action would be taken before this weekend.
Werning said his department's position has not changed. David Richter, attorney for the Chez Paree and David Richter II's father, said he was aware the DCI agent was present. "We've tried to cooperate with them," he said.
Richter said he does not think the state will move to shut the poker tournament down, but does think they will move to have the law changed. "That itself would be an admission that it's legal," he said.
Wilber is in Japan with the American Counsel of Young Political Leaders for two weeks and was not available for comment.have the law changed. "That itself would be an admission that it's legal," he said.
Wilber is out of the office for two weeks and was not available for comment.
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