The temporary restraining order preventing embattled gambling company BetonSports (BoS) from taking bets from the United States was extended again today in federal court in the Eastern District of Missouri.
District Judge Carol Jackson extended the order, which was scheduled to expire on Sept. 1, because U.S. prosecutors showed they were making good progress toward proper service of the papers, she said. But she also drove the point that the company must be notified.
Prosecuting attorney Marty Woelfle of the Justice Department's organized crime and racketeering section said the government was no longer seeking to serve the company at its Costa Rican offices because it has shut down; it is instead focusing on serving the papers to the company's corporate offices in London.
Woelfle said the United States has sent the papers to a process server in London who would be responsible for serving the company in person. She said she received word this morning that the package had arrived at the process server's office.
While Jackson granted the 30-day extension, she told Woelfle to notify the court when service is achieved and/or if she is contacted by BoS representation, which was not present in court today.
Woelfle said the government is actively pursuing discussions with BoS representation, reportedly located in New York, and have requested they waive their right to read the order, but so far BoS has not responded.
"At some point we will ask for a default judgment," Woelfle said, "but at this time we are attempting to comply with the judge's order regarding service."
The next TRO hearing has not been scheduled, but it will most likely be held at the end of September.