George Janssen Asks Court For Time To Win Restitution Money

A poker table is now central to George Janssen latest court argument. Ahead of sentencing, the Michigan player is asking for less prison time so he can keep earning through tournaments and send that money toward restitution.

Good to Know

• George Janssen pleaded guilty in August 2025 to financial institution fraud
• Prosecutors said the scheme hit several credit unions for nearly $4 million
• His lawyer wants a 24 month sentence instead of 51 months

Poker First And Prison Second

The defense is not arguing innocence. It is arguing utility. Keith E. Corbett told the court that Janssen can generate income through poker and should get a shorter sentence so he can start paying victims sooner rather than later.

“It is Mr. Janssen’s intention to pay restitution to all affected parties with the proceeds of his poker winnings,” his attorney, Keith E. Corbett of Barone Defense Firm, said in a recent court filing.

Corbett wants 24 months, well below the 51 month minimum recommendation. His point is simple: less time inside means more time in bigger events, and bigger events mean a better shot at real restitution money.

“This will allow him to reunite with his wife and Children as well as attempting to make restitution,” wrote Corbett. “Spending four years in prison will help nobody.”

Always good for a profit

That argument leans on recent results, not just theory. Janssen, a four-time World Series of Poker Circuit ring winner with $505,291 in Hendon Mob earnings, won $18,556 at Firekeepers Casino in Battle Creek just weeks after pleading guilty. He later won $2,553 in a $200 bounty event at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, then added $4,323 for a third-place finish in a $300 event at the same venue.

Corbett said Janssen has been using local casino poker as his income source since last summer.

“He has been quite open with the probation department about his efforts to earn an income from playing poker. He has provided records which make it clear that he can earn a living playing poker.”

The lawyer also tried to strengthen that point with outside support.

“Conversations with numerous gambling experts have advised me that good poker players have a excellent opportunity to make a profit on a regular basis.”

“Janssen has always made a profit,” he said.

Only after that comes the crime that created the restitution problem. The Department of Justice charged Janssen with one count of financial institution fraud over a fraudulent auto loan scheme tied to his former car dealership. Prosecutors said he used false pretenses, representations, or promises to obtain money from multiple credit lenders between June 2016 and October 2023. He pleaded guilty in August 2025.

Covid caused stress

Corbett said the scheme grew out of dealership stress during the Coronavirus period, when the business ran into deeper financial trouble.

“As the economy slowed down George was faced with significant challenges in his business. These problems cause(d) him to engage in the activities that resulted in the charges in this case. It was always George’s intention to pay the money back and ensure no one suffered financial harm.”

That claimed plan kept stretching until it collapsed under its own weight.

“This unrealistic expectation eventually resulted in a formal accusation in this matter. Proving the maxim that ‘The road to hell is paved with good intentions.’”

Long before sentencing, the case had already taken a bizarre turn. In December 2023, Janssen was found bloodied and zip-tied on a rural Michigan road after claiming gang members had abducted and extorted him for more than a month. Investigators later treated that story as fabrication tied to his financial mess, and the FBI probe that followed led to the fraud case.

By then, according to the defense, Janssen had already warned major victims before matters fully collapsed. Copoco Community Credit Union later sued him in civil court. Corbett also said Janssen sold all property in his possession, including his home and several acres of land.

So the court now has a narrower question in front of it. Not whether Janssen committed the fraud. He admitted that. The question is whether a shorter sentence gives victims a better chance of getting money back.

Corbett framed Janssen that way in the filing as well.

“He has never denied his guilt in this matter and has done everything in his power to accept responsibility for his actions.”

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