On Sunday, the Poker Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place in Downtown Las Vegas. Amid a crowd that included poker legends like Phil Hellmuth, Doyle Brunson, and Lyle Berman was a curious face: Howard Lederer (pictured). According to Caesars officials, one of the 2014 inductees, reportedly Jack McClelland, invited Lederer to come.

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On Monday, criticism toward the Poker Hall of Fame ensued, stemming from Lederer’s presence. Lederer was one of the figureheads behind the financial debacle known as Full Tilt Poker, which shut down to US players three-and-a-half-years ago due to insolvency. In fact, the US Government labeled the site a “global Ponzi scheme” and many US players have yet to be reunited with their funds.

“It was nice of him to come out and support one of his longtime friends in the game,” Caesars Interactive Vice President Seth Palansky told PocketFives on Monday. “It is a night of celebration and honoring the inductees for their achievement and paying homage. Anyone who has an issue with it is viewing it from the wrong prism. Every inductee has a right to invite anyone they wish.”

Palansky added, “Those wishes should be respected and not turned into some negative story by those in poker who have nothing better to do than complain and whine. It had no impact on the event whatsoever.”

On social media, Ari Engelcalled McClelland inviting Lederer “a slap in the face to the community that is honoring him.” Kevin ImaLuckSac MacPhee added, “I wonder wtf is going through Howard Lederer’s head when he shows up to things like this.”

Palansky said, however, that Lederer’s presence shouldn’t change the image of the Poker Hall of Fame or the evening in people’s minds: “It was a great night and a tremendous honor for the inductees. That’s what it is and no one should make it out to be about something it wasn’t.”

During his induction speech, Daniel Negreanu (pictured) made reference to Lederer, saying at one point, “I’ve had strong opinions about many of you in the room. And reallystrong opinions on someof you [raises brow, laughs].” In 2012, for example, Negreanu called Lederer and company “scumbags” and “shameful little weasels,” adding, “You should be shunned and ostracized from our community forever.” Read the article.

There were rumors that Lederer’s sister, Annie Duke, was also in attendance, but Palansky said she was not.

What do you think of Lederer coming to the Poker Hall of Fame induction ceremony? Leave a comment here and let us know.

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Image courtesy gruposuperpoker