In the poker media sector, credibility is the only currency, kind of ironic for a group of shady characters. But in the escalating drama between Todd Witteles and Mike Postle, that currency is being debased. Todd Witteles holds a legally sound grievance, a $42,000 legal debt stemming from a lawsuit Mike Postle filed against him in 2021. But Todd’s tactics have used debt collection as a guise for targeted disinformation, harassment, in a controversy that has spanned 6 whole years. Postle, a low stakes professional has become a scapegoat, synonymous with cheating in poker. Postle who’s long denied the cheating allegations, has never been given a chance to fight the allegations, resulting in a kangaroo style court of public opinion.
When this sort of kangaroo court of public opinion is allowed to thrive, the damage isn’t just limited to the individual in the crosshairs. It poisons the well for everyone else. You have seen this recently with scandals like the Epstein scandal, unraveling for the public to see that their favorite politicians, media moguls, and authoritarian figures are nothing more than frauds fooling the masses.
The reason the masses are easily fooled? not that they are necessarily unintelligent, but the human brain is wired to prioritize narrative and outrage over technical evidence and due process. In this instance, whether he cheated or not, all of the evidence against Mike Postle has been irrefutably debunked, and Mike is still dodged, silenced, and sandbagged by his accuser’s while he is confident as ever he is innocent and can back it up.
1. The Valid Grievance: A Debt that Stands
It is a matter of public record: Mike Postle owes Todd Witteles approximately $42,000 (a $27,000 anti-SLAPP judgment plus 10% annual interest since 2021).
- Witteles is a victim of a $330 million lawsuit that he spent thousands to defend. He has a legal right to collect these fees. He was sued for defamation in 2020 by Postle, when Witteles accused Mike of cheating a low stakes poker stream.
- For years, Postle has allegedly evaded payment while appearing in rare high-profile spots, such as his 2023 seventh-place finish at the Million Dollar Heater.
- Postle has long denied the cheating allegations, and has been dodged by his accusers every step of the way. He has long been regarded as guilty until proven innocent despite the fact that every piece of evidence against him has been irrefutably debunked.
2. The Manufactured Narrative: The “Tournament Pro” Myth
The ethical breach is clearer now with Witteles putting a $10,000 bounty on Postle. Witteles has claimed Postle is “going around playing tournaments” and “cashing frequently”, and offers up to $10,000 for anybody who notifies Todd if and when Mike is caught playing a tournament.
But Postle denies that he is going around playing tournaments and per usual Todd and the rest of the poker manipulators use their fanbase as a sounding board, denying Mike any chance for a rebuttal. By framing Postle as an active player who is “flaunting” his wealth, Witteles provides a false premise for his fan base to attack Mike. If Postle is actually living a private, inactive life, this bounty isn’t a collection tool—it’s a paid incentive for stalking.
3. The Legal Risk of Misrepresentation
Witteles is walking a dangerous line. Under International Human Rights Law (IHRL) and various state Fair Debt Collection principles, misrepresenting a debtor’s actions to incite third-party harassment is a legal liability.
- Creditor Harassment: If a collector uses “deceptive practices” or “false statements” to pressure a debtor, they can be sued for harassment, potentially wiping out the original debt.
- The “Bounty” Liability: By creating a “financial incentive for surveillance” based on a false narrative of tournament activity, Witteles may be creating a cause of action for Postle to sue for invasion of privacy or intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The Verdict
Todd Witteles is owed money. But he is manufacturing narratives under the pretense of trying to get it. Todd has long silenced those who disagree with him and have grievances against him.
By claiming Postle is a touring pro when he isn’t, Witteles is sacrificing his journalistic integrity for a bounty-hunter persona. This 6-year “social siege” has failed to produce a single dollar of repayment, but it has successfully produced a environment of lawless surveillance that targets Mike and his family based on falsified facts.
While International Human Rights Law is seldom “enforced”, it is far from toothless. Think of it as the moral and legal bedrock for the modern world. Think of it as common sense for a functioning civilized world. Its purpose is to set the minimum standards for how any human being—regardless of their actions—must be treated.
In this instance? Mike’s rights to: Privacy and Reputation (article 17), Right to a fair Trial (article 14), Prohibition to collective Punishment (articles 7 and 10), Freedom of Information/The right to the truth (article 19), and even Child Protection (article 24) are clearly being violated.
Nowhere will you find a pattern as consistent and relentless as the assault Mike Postle has faced for 6 years by the poker media.