"We still have an open dialogue with [the DOJ] and look forward to more productive conversations down the road," said John Pappas, executive director of the PPA. "We plan to follow up to make sure the DOJ gets a guarantee that players get restitution through any deal with new Full Tilt management."
The meeting took place before the announcement Friday that the site had reached an acquisition agreement with Bernard Tapie Group. Presumably, the French investors will not finalize an agreement without the approval of the DOJ.
The process that would likely be required for the Department of Justice to repay US players with its forfeited funds would likely be a time-consuming, logistical nightmare. This may work in the favor of the player, however, if it incentivizes the DOJ to reach an agreement with the Investors to release some of the money while mandating that it be returned to US players.
"We continue to believe the best and most expedient way to reimburse players is through the sale of Full Tilt contingent on paying back players," Pappas said. "I think the DOJ would like to preserve as much of the forfeiture money for themselves, but they would view a new company coming in and paying back players as something beneficial to them and the player community."
