http://www.justice.gov/usao/nys/pokerstars.html

Yea, I know the link says "pokerstars", but this announcement is about FTP.

No, this just makes it just that much more likely we won't ever see that money.  They won't seize enough to cover their fines (and by fines, we might as well say "cut"), and they'll liquidate assets FTP might have used to either a.) operate again and make us our money, or b.) make a sale more inviting to investors who would foot the bill up front.

If recent reports are to be believed, a taker was just waiting for the results of this hearing to make the purchase.

Exactly.  This pretty much indicates we can expect no cooperation from the DOJ for our best interests, and therefore extremely unlikely that FTP can now make a sale.  The DOJ likely killed the only deal that might have gotten us all paid.

Here's your choices, kids:

a. Sell the site to a criminal who's been known to fix sporting events, hope he pays us:
b. Let the DOJ have a garage sale with all FTP's stuff, hope they pay us.

I wouldn't go that far.

The DOJ has admitted that we are victims.  So if they can get everything they want, get us paid, and settle, then they come out smelling like a rose, and can move on to their next target.  It could work out like this.  (That is the optimist in me).

Of course, the DOJ may not budge, FTP may know this, but did it anyway so that when the deal blows up, they will have another scapegoat - "the DOJ killed the deal".  (That is the pessimist in me.)

Which is right?  I don't know for sure.  What I do know is what FTP's priorities are:

(1)  Taking down money, regardless of whether they earned it.
(2)  Blaming other people for their downfall.
(3)  Lying to everyone.
(4)  Avoiding court/jail.
.
.
.
(at the bottom of the list)  Repaying their customers.

This wasn't some little accounting snafu, or a series of poor business decisions.  I just hope they wind up getting everything they deserve.