Maurice Hawkins, a 24-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit gold ring winner with almost $7 million in lifetime event earnings in keeping with The Hendon Mob, has filed for chapter searching for, partly, to absolve himself from a six-figure poker debt due to Randy Garcia.
According to a Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy (Case 26-15116-EPK) obtained by PokerNews, Hawkins, by his lawyer Michael A. Kaufman, filed for Chapter 7 chapter on Thursday, April 23, within the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida.
The submitting got here lower than three weeks after Hawkins received the WSOP Circuit Elgin Event #3: $400 NLH for $17,419 and his report twenty fourth ring, and regardless of Hawkins having already amassed $217,254 in 2026 event earnings according to The Hendon Mob. He’s additionally coming off the very best two years of his poker profession by way of outcomes ($741,937 in event earnings in 2025 and $853,068 in 2024).
It additionally comes simply months after Hawkins publicly agreed to a cope with Randy Garcia by which he agreed to pay $2,500 by the thirtieth of each month till $30,000 was repaid, which was seemingly a very good deal for Hawkins as the ultimate judgment in opposition to him issued by the Circuit Court of the fifteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida (Case No. 502019CA000052XXXXMB) was for $115,828.
Garcia reportedly agreed, however after just some months, Hawkins has allegedly did not stay as much as his facet of the cut price. Now, Garcia is taking authorized steps to gather.
Last week, PokerNews discovered from a supply on-site in Tunica that Hawkins cashed a event however was allegedly shocked to study that he can be unable to gather attributable to a garnishment. The following day, Hawkins filed for chapter, a tactic that might be used to bypass future garnishment and keep away from accountability.
This was confirmed by lawyer Rogen Chhabra, who filed the garnishment together with Garcia.
Chhabra was not too long ago a visitor on the PokerNews Podcast to debate the state of affairs, which you’ll watch beneath:
As Chhabra shared, whereas the chapter submitting is a speedbump in Garcia’s efforts to gather and will in the end result in discharge, there’s nonetheless an opportunity for them to struggle it by exhibiting Hawkins shouldn’t be really bankrupt, however as a substitute fraudulently profiting from the system.
Same Old Hawkins?
The chapter submitting comes at a time when Hawkins has been busy boasting on social media about his profitable methods and poker prowess, even going as far as to problem Shaun Deeb to a $100,000 wager.
“I win every trip I go on, check my hendon. I have more disposable income, than your regular income. I live rent free in your mind,” Hawkins wrote. He aslo added, “All, I have to say is ‘Happy New Year.’ This will Be my Biggest year. It’s nothing your words, posts and ill intent against me. Can do about it.”
Another factor he mentioned on social media was, “Some people talk, and then some people do. Let’s eat 2026….. Plus 80k HIGH Hater. This is for those I told, I would make the salary in one week. This one is for you.”
Hawkins obtained off to a robust begin in 2026, chopping the Gulf Coast Poker Beau Rivage Heater Event #6: $500 Triple Stack NLH for $80,944, after which every week later profitable the WSOPC Tunica Event #2: $400 Mini Main for $35,146.
According to the IRS: “Chapter 7 bankruptcy, or liquidation bankruptcy, is a legal process that erases most unsecured debts—such as credit cards and medical bills—within 3-6 months, providing a “fresh start”. A court-appointed trustee may sell non-exempt assets to pay creditors, though many individuals keep all assets through exemptions.”
That is against Chapter 11, which is a reorganization that enables companies or people to maintain belongings, proceed working, and restructure debt by a court-approved plan.
According to the submitting, Hawkins lists his rented residence as Wellington, Florida, and that his money owed primarily encompass client money owed. When requested how a lot his estimated belongings are value, Hawkins ticked the field indicating between $500,0001-$1,000,000. As for how a lot he estimated his liabilities to be, he ticked between $100,001-$500,000.
The submitting additionally contained an inventory of two dozen collectors, together with Boca Raton Pawn Shop, Nordstrom, a number of finance firms, and the aforementioned Randy Garcia.
If profitable, Hawkins can be absolved of paying the judgment in opposition to him, regardless that it’s seemingly been a very good 12 months for Hawkins. Back in February, Hawkins shared on social media that, after profitable his twenty third WSOPC gold ring, he received a $10,000 Main Event seat to this summer season’s 2026 WSOP for ending as Casino Champ, and was “going to Disney with the kids.”
PokerNews will proceed to observe this story and supply updates if and after they occur.
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