Texans Minority Owner Involved in Gambling Allegations

[Wolf]

http://www.nflgridirongab.com/2008/0...g-allegations/

Enrique Javier Loya, the President and CEO of Choice Energy Services Retail and aLoya minority owner of the Houston Texans since 2002, is on the brink of major trouble with the NFL. There are allegations against Loya by a former Choice employee that Loya, as well as Choice employees and customers, were involved in high stakes gambling.

The gambling involves Fantasy Football Futures, a gambling entourage involving Loya, his employees and customers. Loya denied or motioned off most claims two years ago, but the allegations are catching up to him and Choice Energy. VP of Choice Energy, John Klosek, admitted under oath that Fantasy Football Futures has been discussed in Choice Energy and that Loya was involved in these discussions involving Futures, what Klosek calls the prediction of the outcome of the football season.

These charges have been brought to court, and now Loya is hanging on a string awaiting word from court and the NFL. The Houston Texans franchise had no response to these allegations according to Fox 26 Houston.

Loya responded to Fox 26 with a letter stating that his company employees had been involved in betting pools, but he finds nothing “inappropriate about this…” On the other hand, the NFL has made it clear that “the league prohibits NFL club owners, coaches, players and anyone else involved with the NFL from gambling on NFL games or associating in any way with persons involved in gambling. Anyone who does so faces severe disciplinary action by the commissioner, including lifetime suspension.”

[b0ng]

This doesn't really change my opinion on the Texans. It seems convoluted and it doesn't look like it impacts a real big contributor to the Texans. Could a replacement for this guy be found? I know he gives money to the Texans or something but I'm sure there would be a business interested in buying that part of the Texans.

Either way, it seems like a non-story to me. I really hope this post doesn't come to bite me in the ass and cause the Texans to forfeit draft picks or something ridiculous.

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by Wolf

http://www.nflgridirongab.com/2008/0...g-allegations/

*yawn*

[Kaiser Toro]

Originally Posted by ObsiWan

*yawn*

[badboy]

I think there was something about this a few weeks ago in Houston Chronicle and if I remember correctly, McNair was trying to buy out some of the other minority owners. Do not recall if this was related.

[Yankee_In_TX]

Originally Posted by b0ng

This doesn't really change my opinion on the Texans. It seems convoluted and it doesn't look like it impacts a real big contributor to the Texans. Could a replacement for this guy be found? I know he gives money to the Texans or something but I'm sure there would be a business interested in buying that part of the Texans.

Either way, it seems like a non-story to me. I really hope this post doesn't come to bite me in the ass and cause the Texans to forfeit draft picks or something ridiculous.

Alllllllllll depends on the terms of their agreement.

But, yawn.

[ArlingtonTexan]

Would be a bigger issue, if this is a person with a major ownership stake, but don't underestimate the distance that the NFL wants to keep between itself and anything that can be seen as a gambling operation.

[TheIronDuke]

Interesting only because I used to work for this guy. Kailee Wong also used to work for him as well as an energy trader and I saw him in the office from time-to-time.

[Overalls]

Does this mean my account here at Texans Talk could be suspended for taking part in the Fantasy Football League that was started by someone here. I also put in some money on a Superbowl pot. Does that count?

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Overalls

Does this mean my account here at Texans Talk could be suspended for taking part in the Fantasy Football League that was started by someone here. I also put in some money on a Superbowl pot. Does that count?

Do you own part of an NFL team? Roger Goodell is probably a bit nervous about now.

[Double Barrel]

If found guilty, the Texans should cut his ass from ownership and move on. It sounds like another rich dude thinking the rules do not apply to him.

[TheIronDuke]

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

If found guilty, the Texans should cut his ass from ownership and move on. It sounds like another rich dude thinking the rules do not apply to him.

He was kind of a prick.

[OzzO]

Originally Posted by Overalls

Does this mean my account here at Texans Talk could be suspended for taking part in the Fantasy Football League that was started by someone here. I also put in some money on a Superbowl pot. Does that count?

No, because you don't have the "contributor" recognition under your name, you're clear. But you may want to nix relations with Petite or Ricky Williams - just to be sure.

[Second Honeymoon]

Looks like Loya needs to hire himself a good Loya.

If he personally bet in the pool that is a big problem and he may lose his stake, however small it is.

If his company organized a pool and he knew about it but did not participate, there should be a large fine and a stern talking to but nothing else.

If his company organized a pool and he knew nothing about it, I don't see how he can be held liable much less culpable for their insubordination. I am sure every employee signed an employment agreement that includes verbage relating to gambling, drug/alcohol abuse, sexual harassment.

The fact that 'high stakes' entered the equation means this may have been a pool amongst the executive/elite employees of the company which would lead one to believe that he may have known about it. I guess they fired the wrong person because that person went straight to the authorities with their story and got them investigated. A black eye for the ownership but a mere blip in the big picture....like DB said, sounds like a rich guy who thought he was above the rules.

[ubecool454]

Originally Posted by b0ng

This doesn't really change my opinion on the Texans. It seems convoluted and it doesn't look like it impacts a real big contributor to the Texans. Could a replacement for this guy be found? I know he gives money to the Texans or something but I'm sure there would be a business interested in buying that part of the Texans.

Either way, it seems like a non-story to me. I really hope this post doesn't come to bite me in the ass and cause the Texans to forfeit draft picks or something ridiculous.

ditto...

[Overalls]

Originally Posted by badboy

Do you own part of an NFL team? Roger Goodell is probably a bit nervous about now.

I own two seats in the Bull Pen. Does that count?

[imatexan]

Javier is a close friend of mine and the family. He is a great guy and is a true family man. I see some are calling him a prick, I guess thats what comes with a leadership position. I hope that he gets to keep his minority ownership, he is a BIG Texans fan.

[Koolaid Time]

Mr. McNair buys him out and this whole 'matter' "goes away"...

Write the check Bob...