Sportingbet's non-executive chairman, who was arrested last week at JFK International Airport, has been freed to return to the United Kingdom for two weeks.
Judge Gene Lopez at the Queens Criminal Court lifted the bail restrictions forcing Peter Dicks, 64, to remain in New York after it emerged that New York Gov. George Pataki had withdrawn a warrant approving Dicks' extradition to Louisiana.
Nicole Navas, a spokesperson for Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, said the warrant was withdrawn for further investigation.
Dicks' attorney Barry Slotnick said an emergency hearing was held last night at which he petitioned the Judge to withdraw the warrant, which was withdrawn today at 8:00 am (EDT).
"After the hearing, counsel for the governor was obviously convinced that the warrant was not valid," he added.
Lopez adjourned the hearing until Sept. 28 and lifted the bail restrictions forcing Dicks to remain in New York. He returned Dicks' drivers license and passport and permitted him to leave the United States on the condition that he return to New York for the hearing later this month.
Dicks' attorney Barry Slotnick did his best to assure Lopez his client would not skip bail.
"He's appeared; he will appear," Slotnick told the judge.
Dicks will return on Sept. 28, unless Louisiana decides to drop the case, Slotnick said.
"If they don't, we will continue to petition the governor to withdraw the warrant," he added. "Clearly Louisiana's position is incorrect. Mr. Dicks and Sportingbet did not commit any crime."
Meanwhile, Sportingbet confirmed in a statement today that it has accepted Dicks' resignation.
Shares of Sportingbet gained 39p today to close at 192 in London.