Hustler On line casino Reside co-owner Nick Vertucci is parting methods with the favored poker stream after being accused of sexual harassment and intimidation, PokerNews realized on Wednesday.
Fellow HCL co-founder Ryan Feldman knowledgeable PokerNews that “efficient instantly,” Vertucci would “not be concerned with Excessive Stakes Poker Productions.”
“We stay up for persevering with to ship the most effective excessive stakes poker content material to the neighborhood,” Feldman stated in a press release that was later shared on X.
Vertucci’s departure comes days after former HCL common Julia McBride accused the controversial co-owner of sending her inappropriate textual content messages and making unsolicited advances. She additional alleged she was banned from HCL for rejecting Vertucci’s advances.
After McBride got here ahead, different girls shared their experiences of inappropriate habits from Vertucci.
Poker professional Kitty Kuo shared a 2019 story about Vertucci allegedly displaying her specific pictures on the desk, whereas others dug up a clip of Sashimi accusing him of “sexual harassment” for an incident the place he appeared to rub her ear with out permission. The scenario was debated in a February 2023 Reddit thread that generated 141 feedback.
Feldman was unable to share contract particulars for this story.
Defending Others From “Future Harassment”
Vertucci’s elimination from HCL got here after a number of poker gamers and HCL regulars known as for him to step down as co-owner. That included Nik Airball, one of many present’s greatest supporters who stated he would not accomplish that till Vertucci stepped away.
Doug Polk accused Vertucci of “utilizing a spot of energy to make undesirable sexual advances on girls” and stated that “something lower than eradicating him from the present solely is totally unacceptable.”
Upon listening to Vertucci had stepped down, Garrett Adelstein praised the ladies who got here ahead with tales and “protected numerous others from future harassment or worse.” The banned HCL legend added that he thought “the home is much from clear.”
“There ought to now be a microscope on those that knew about Nick’s habits and did nothing or worse,” Adelstein wrote on X.
Editor & Reside Reporter U.S.
