Early last month, we reported that former Full Tilt Poker executive Ray Bitar (pictured) was suffering from an unnamed medical conditionwhile working through his legal troubles stemming from Black Friday. On Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the ailment in question is a heart condition that requires a transplant. As such, Bitar will likely plead guilty on April 19, which is in just 11 short days.

What charges Bitar will plead guilty to as part of a plea agreement with Federal prosecutors remains to be seen. His lawyer, John Baughman, told the Journal, “It’s a very unusual situation. We’ve been able to work out something with the Government that takes into account the unique circumstances. We appreciate the Government’s courtesy in this regard.”

The Journal added that Bitar was camped out in California awaiting a heart transplant. Back on April 15, 2011, Bitar, then 39 years of age, was charged with a litany of crimes including conspiracy to violate the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), violating the UIGEA, operating an illegal gambling business, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy. He was one of 11 individuals targeted on Black Friday.

According to Diamond Flush Poker, “The provision apparently agreed to by the parties will see Bitar plead guilty to at least two felony charges and will require him to forfeit nearly all the money he earned at Full Tilt Poker, including his home and other real estate and investments.” According to Full Tilt Poker shareholder John Juanda, Bitar made $200,000 per month following Black Friday.

Diamond Flush added that Bitar’s heart condition was diagnosed in November and that “Bitar is too ill too travel back to New York City, so the possibility of his appearance via video camera in the courtroom is the only option. He presumably would plead and be sentenced while appearing live on camera for the Judge to see.” Whether he’d receive any jail time given his heart condition is not clear. He reportedly requested to receive no jail time.

Further outlining Bitar’s medical condition, Diamond Flush characterized it as NYHA Class 4, the most severe class, and said that Bitar has a 50% chance of survival over the next six months to one year. He returned to the U.S. to face the music in mid-2012 and the assets of Full Tilt Poker have since been sold to its one-time rival, PokerStars.

We’ll keep you posted on the latest on this still developing story.

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