Natalie Teltscher filed action in Isle of Man Court against PokerStars alleging the wrongful disqualification as 2007 World Championship of Online Poker Main Event Champion. This suit has been dropped according to PokerStars.com, the account in question “TheVoid” which was registered to Teltscher was disqualified shortly after winning the 2007 WCOOP Main Event, following allegation of play not in accordance with PokerStars Tournament Rules.

Teltscher filed action earlier this year seeking the return of $1,228,330.50 that was originally awarded to the account “TheVoid” this amount is $150,000 less then the tournament stated first place prize due to a deal at the final table.

The case was adjourned in June by the Judge pending contractual issues, it is reported that Natalie Teltscher admitted in court that she had an “agent” play in the tournament on her behalf which is in direct violation of PokerStars rules (report on iomtoday.com.im). The “agent” has never been named but is widely considered to have been involved in multi accounting during the 2007 WCOOP Main Event, the full first place prize of $1,378,330.50 was awarded to “ka$ino” and the rest of the players that cashed in the event being bumped up on the pay scale. Of those players two prominent players who were on the final table and received an increase in pay were Vanessa Rousso and Josh Arieh.

Natalie has recently dropped her legal action against PokerStars.com and both parties look to move forward and leave this in the past. The following is a complete announcement by PokerStars:

PokerStars™ are pleased to announce that Natalie Teltscher has recently withdrawn her claim in the Isle of Man Courts against PokerStars.

Furthermore, in discontinuing her claim, she has agreed to contribute a sum towards the legal costs incurred by PokerStars in this matter.

Ms Teltscher brought her claim against PokerStars because she was disqualified from first place of the 2007 WCOOP Main Event after PokerStars internal investigations demonstrated beyond doubt that she had not played on the account. On her disqualification all other players were moved one place higher in the prize table and the money confiscated from her account, TheV0id, was redistributed in full, according to the amended tournament placings.

Ms Teltscher initially claimed that she had played the account. However, when faced with the results from PokerStars’ investigation she eventually admitted she hadn’t played.
The decision of Ms Teltscher to withdraw her claim fully vindicates
PokerStars’ decision to disqualify her from the tournament and subsequently defend the claim, actions which were taken in order to protect the integrity of the games on offer at PokerStars.

With the 2008 WCOOP on the door step PokerStars is hoping there is no problems this year, but has proven if there is suspicion of unfair play they will act and act swiftly. The 2008 WCOOP runs from September 5th – 21st 2008.