FBI went 'too far' to catch poker champ, according to judge

The FBI has been accused of overstepping the mark when then entered Paul Phua's room without a search warrant

The FBI has been accused of overstepping the mark when then entered Paul Phua's room without a search warrant (GETTY IMAGES)

FBI agents went too far when they turned off internet connection in a hotel room and posed as repairmen so that they could enter without a search warrant, a Federal judge in Las Vegas has ruled.

Agents from the Fedreal Bureau of Investigation had received a tip-off that world champion poker player Paul Phua, who was staying at Caesar’s Palace Hotel last July, was taking illegal bets on the Poker World Cup which was taking place at the time.

Agents cut off internet connection to the room before claiming to be repairmen sent in to fix the problem. They wore hidden cameras inside with them and said that the footage proved that those inside were making illegal bets.

However, speaking on Friday, Judge Andrew Gordon said that the scheme had violated Phua’s right against unreasonable searches.

Phua was about to play in Poker World Cup (Getty Images)

“Permitting the government to create the need for the occupant to invite a third party into his or her home would effectively allow the government to conduct warrantless searches of the vast majority of residences and hotel rooms in America,” Gordon said.

“The government need only disrupt the phone, cable, Internet, or some other ‘non-essential’ service, and reasonable people will opt to invite a third party onto their property to repair it, unwittingly allowing a government agents into the most private space to view and record whatever and whomever they see.”

Phua’s son, Darren, pleaded guilty to federal charges relating to the illegal betting incident last month. Five others have reached plea deals surrounding the case.

Paul Phau, charged under the name Wei Seng Phua, continues to fight the charges against him.

He is thought to have been a high-ranking member of the the 14K Triad, one of the biggest criminal organisation in the world, according to Pokernews.com, and has won more than $1.5 million in prize money over the course of his poker career.