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George Janssen, a former Michigan poker champion and used car dealer, is facing accusations of having obtained millions of dollars worth of fraudulent car loans from a number of financial institutions. The locally-famous gambler hasn’t been charged yet, but the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has been granted an extension to file his indictment, saying it needed extra time to analyze evidence and prepare for the hearing.
Janssen is a decorated poker player from the Great Lakes State. He’s as a four-time World Series of Poker Circuit ring winner, and former WSOP Michigan winner.
Janssen has been in the news for various reasons as of late, which are not related to his poker playing. He was kidnapped in December 2023 before being found on the side of the road Huron County more than a month later.
The former poker champion is now being accused of fraud, although, no charges have been filed against him, yet.
Indictment on former poker champion pushed back
Michigan prosecutors are supposed to file an indictment on an arrested individual within 30 days, which would have been on March 30. US Magistrate Judge Patricia T. Morris gave prosecutors a two-month extension for May 28. That is now the preliminary hearing date, set for 2 p.m.
Janssen is being accused of using fake loan paperwork in order to acquire $3.2 million. His history of fraud dates back to November 2023 when he allegedly deposited $1.4 million worth of checks into a business account, which were credited immediately.
He went missing days after those transactions in December. When he was found on the side of the road, his hands were zip tied and bruises on his face.
Several news outlets reported that Janssen told people he was a target of an extortion scheme that had spanned years because of his success with poker. According to a family member quoted by ABC12 News in Flint, Janssen won $200,000 in 2023.
The DOJ now has additional two months to look into Janssen’s bizarre events and behavior.
