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A Texas firm has launched a firm into The Lodge Card Club layoff of approximately 144 employees following a March 10 raid and subsequent closure of the venue by authorities.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) raided the Round Rock, Texas poker club co-owned by poker pro and podcaster Doug Polk. The IRS assisted in the investigation, leading many observers to believe this matter goes beyond state authorities simply believing The Lodge was operating an unauthorized poker club.
As a recap, the TABC affidavit included the following:
- Texas Penal Code 71.02(a) - ENGAGING IN ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
- Texas Penal Code 34.02 - MONEY LAUNDERING
- Texas Penal Code 47.03 - PROMOTION OF GAMBLING
- Texas Penal Code 47.04 - KEEPING A GAMBLING PLACE
- Texas Penal Code 47.06 - POSSESSION OF GAMBLING DEVICE, EQUIPMENT OR PARAPHERNALIA
Clubs like The Lodge have long been able to operate by categorizing their businesses as "member only" and not taking a rake.
Chicago-based Strauss Borrelli PLLC is a premier civil litigation team focused on representing groups of individuals who have been harmed by corporate misconduct, is now investigating Tempus Holding Inc. dba The Lodge Card Club regarding its recent potential mass layoff.
The WARN Act (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) is a federal law that requires certain employers to notify their employees, in writing, at least 60 days before a plant closing or mass layoff takes effect. As a result, we believe The Lodge Card Club employees may be entitled to 60 days of severance pay and benefits.
Employers who do not follow the WARN Act rules, either by giving notice too late or providing unclear notices, may have to pay employees back pay and benefits for the time they were in violation.
The WARN Act typically still applies if a business is shut down by the state or federal authorities. However, employers are known to argue that they should qualify for the “unforeseeable business circumstances” exception.
- Nagesh Rath, Gambling911.com
