Amaya chair Baazov pleads not guilty to insider trading charges

Amaya chairman and chief executive David Baazov has pleaded not guilty to a series of charges filed by the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF).

In March, Quebec security regulator AMF filed 23 charges against Baazov, accusing him of “aiding with trades while in possession of privileged information, influencing or attempting to influence the market price of the securities of Amaya inc., and communicating privileged information”.

All of the accusations in question relate to an investigation launched into insider trading after Amaya acquired PokerStars in 2014.

Baazov last month confirmed he would be taking a voluntary leave of absence from his roles with Amaya whilst the case was ongoing.

At the time, Baazov said: “I believe that stepping down in the short term will help to avoid distraction for the company and its management while I vigorously contest all allegations made against me and pursue my bid to acquire the company.”

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