A two-time World Series of Poker Circuit champion, Travell Thomas, has been sent to jail for eight years for his part in a debt collection scheme that embezzled $31m and change from the financially fragile.

A Manhattan Court sentenced Travell Thomas to eight years and four months behind bars on Thursday.

US District Judge, Katherine Polk Failla (the illegitimate love child of Doug and Will?), handed the sentence to Thomas after explaining it was the most lenient sentence she could deliver given the circumstances and the need to act as a deterrent.

Thomas knew time served was a necessity after pleading guilty to a count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and a count of wire fraud. In Nov 2016, Thomas held up his hands after hearing he could spend most of his life behind bars, and surrendered to a possible 15-year jail term and the forfeiture of $31m. He got off lightly.