Gabriel Werden, Australian high-roller, worked as a solicitor and stole from his own clients to continue with his gambling addiction, specially concerning baccarat games. The Supreme Court said yesterday that he has turned over $13 million Australian dollars gambling at baccarat casino tables in just four years.

Werden falsified passports using fake names with his own picture in order to return to Australia without being recognized. Not only the police was trying to catch him, but also casino loan sharks jeopardized his life due to his huge debts.

The fugitive’s lawyer said his client’s astronomical losses cost him his home, his marriage, his legal practice and his credibility. On the other hand, the prosecutor in the case, Michelle Williams, sees him from a different perspective. Every time he is about to be caught, he runs away, what makes him a fugitive from justice.

Werden pleaded guilty to three counts of obtaining financial advantage, seven of theft and one of deficiency in his trust account. The judge said Werden’s sentence would be decided at a near date.