In breaking news, Valeriu Coca (pictured), the man accused of cheating in the World Series of Poker $10,000 Heads-Up event, will be paid in full for his fifth place finish. WSOP officials posted on Thursday, “Once issues were brought to our attention, we immediately commenced an investigation and worked cooperatively with the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The investigation that was performed has now been completed by all parties.”

The result of the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s investigation: “At this time, the matter is considered closed and the fifth place finisher in Event #10 will now have his funds released for payment.” When asked for further comment by PocketFives, WSOP officials declined, instead referring us to Nevada Gaming.

Coca took fifth place for $54,000 in the Heads-Up event, which drew 128 entries and was ultimately won by Keith Lehr.

Allegations of cheating in the tournament surfaced in early June, with Connor blanconegroDrinan, Pratyush Buddiga, and others asserting that Coca somehow had an advantage. The former explained, “Every time I had a good starting hand, he folded. If I had a bad one, he raised or re-raised. If I whiffed a flop, he attacked my c-bets. If I whiffed and went for a delayed c-bet, he blasted the turn into me every time.”

Coca had reportedly been banned from Czech casinos. Drinan and Buddiga believed that Coca was possibly using some sort of invisible ink to mark the cards while wearing special sunglasses that would allow him to see it. Cards from the event were sent to a forensics lab shortly thereafter for analysis and the preliminary findings showed no wrongdoing.

Coca blasted those who accused him of cheating: “The players who lost are very good, so they just don’t believe they could lose to me for an honest reason… I have no way of marking cards or any other tricks… This is not gentlemanly, to lose and cry foul. They are not gentlemen.”

The $54,000 score is Coca’s only in the money finish in a WSOP event. There were conflicting reports on whether he was actually paid for his finish originally.

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