Shaun Perry sued Mikki Mase for defamation: scandal details

A scandal has erupted in the poker world: Shaun Perry accuses Mikki Mase of slander after public statements about sexual assault. We analyze the causes and consequences.

A new scandal has erupted in the poker community: well-known player and notorious high-stakes gambler Sean Perry has filed a defamation lawsuit against another prominent player — Mikki Mase (real name Michael Meiterman). The lawsuit stems from allegations of sexual assault that Mase made publicly during a discussion on Twitter Spaces. Here, we examine the details of the conflict, how it has unfolded, and what it means for PPPoker club players. The core of the conflict: accusations and legal action On August 29, the Clark County District Court in Nevada received a lawsuit from Sean Perry against Michael Meiterman (Mikki Mase), William Darnell Smith (known as "Mazi"), and Perry’s former employee, Charlie Cavaliere. Perry is seeking financial compensation for damage to his reputation. The dispute began when Mase, who describes himself as a successful baccarat player, accused Perry of sexual assault during a public conversation on Twitter Spaces. Perry, known as a sports bettor and high-stakes poker player, regarded this as defamation and decided to defend his name in court. Details of the lawsuit became public thanks to popular YouTuber Spencer Cornelia, who frequently exposes fraud in the gambling industry. In one of his recent videos, he gave a detailed account of the situation and the accusations involved. How the relationship between the players developed Sean Perry and Mikki Mase were previously friends and even appeared together on podcasts, where they spoke positively about each other’s professional abilities. However, their relationship soured after failed negotiations to launch a joint podcast. According to Cornelia, the disagreement arose over financial terms: Mase demanded $50,000 per episode, which Perry found unacceptable. The conflict soon became public. During a discussion on Twitter Spaces, Perry brought up Mase’s payment demands, after which Mase joined the conversation and unexpectedly accused Perry of sexual assault. The argument escalated, with Perry stating that he had no idea what accusations were being made and that he had never heard such claims about himself before. Perry offered to take a polygraph test and even wager millions of dollars to prove his innocence. The parties agreed to a bet on the outcome of the test, but Perry never published the results. Other parties and new allegations William Darnell Smith ("Mazi"), who had previously lost to Perry in a boxing match, also became involved in the dispute. Mazi supported Mase’s accusations and publicly accused Perry of sexual assault as well, posting related statements on X (formerly Twitter). According to the lawsuit, in April 2025 alone, Mazi made at least 15 such statements. Cornelia notes that, based on his information, Mase knows the alleged victim and that the incident supposedly took place at a party. However, no official charges have been brought against Perry, and he has not faced any criminal prosecution. Details of the legal proceedings Sean Perry is seeking compensation for material and moral damages from three defendants: Michael Meiterman (Mikki Mase), William Darnell Smith ("Mazi"), and Charlie Cavaliere (Perry’s former employee). The lawsuit details instances of public accusations that, according to Perry, have damaged his reputation and business interests. The legal details became public thanks to Spencer Cornelia, who in his video emphasized that he found no public statements confirming the accusations against Perry outside of the Twitter Spaces discussion and Mazi’s posts. Despite the high-profile claims, no official charges have been brought against Perry by authorities. List of participants and their roles in the conflict Sean Perry — plaintiff, professional poker player and sports bettor, seeking compensation for defamation. Michael Meiterman (Mikki Mase) — defendant, poker player and gambler, publicly accused Perry of sexual assault. William Darnell Smith ("Mazi") — defendant, Perry’s former boxing opponent, supported Mase’s accusations. Charlie Cavaliere — defendant, Perry’s former employee. Spencer Cornelia — YouTuber covering the conflict and exposing fraud in the gambling industry. Significance and consequences for the poker community This conflict has attracted widespread attention not only because of the high-profile names involved, but also due to the public nature of the accusations and the ensuing legal proceedings. For the poker community, such situations serve as a reminder of the importance of reputation and legal awareness. Even verbal accusations made in public can have serious consequences for all parties involved. It is telling that, despite the absence of official charges, reputational damage can be extremely significant, especially for players whose careers and income depend directly on the trust of partners and game organizers. What this means for PPPoker club players For PPPoker club members, this story serves as an important lesson: any public statements, especially accusations against other players, can lead to legal consequences. Even if the matter concerns personal disputes or conflicts, discussing them in public forums can harm not only reputations but also financial standing. Players should remember that in online clubs, where communication often takes place in chats and on social networks, responsibility for one’s words is just as great as for actions at the poker table. It is important to be careful with your statements and not let emotions take over, so as not to find yourself at the center of a similar scandal. Furthermore, the story of Perry and Mase underscores that if you are faced with defamation or false accusations, you should not ignore the situation — it is important to defend your interests, including through legal means. This will help preserve your reputation and trust within the poker community.