Laurence Escalante resigns from online casino empire amid ongoing domestic violence, drugs charges
Summary
Perth billionaire Laurence Escalante has resigned as chairman of the online casino empire he founded, Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), following charges of domestic violence and drug offenses earlier this year. The company cited ongoing criminal charges by WA police in its announcement. Escalante, 44, who owns the empire that operates casino-style online games in the United States, is facing charges including persistently engaging in family violence and criminal damage. He has signaled his intention to fight the charges. Escalante had been on a leave of absence since January. The company appointed senior executive Mats Johnson as acting CEO to lead the business while it searches for a permanent replacement. Johnson praised Escalante for pioneering a new social gaming category that is now a major market in the US.
(Source:Google News)