The scrupulously honest Las Vegas cab driver who handed in a brown paper bag containing $300,000 in cash that was left in his taxi has been applauded and rewarded in several different ways….including a $10,000 “thank you” tip from the still unnamed professional poker pro who owns the money.
Yellow Checker Star Cab Company CEO Bill Shranko confirmed Friday that 13-year veteran taxi driver Gerardo Gamboa had been paid by the 28-year-old poker player.
The cab company also honoured the driver’s good deed by naming him employee of the year, awarding him $1,000 and giving him a gift certificate for two to a Las Vegas steakhouse.
Before he learned about the anonymous gambler’s gift, Gamboa said he wasn’t in it for the money.
“If he doesn’t give me anything, that’s OK,” Gamboa told local news media outlets earlier this week. “I’m not waiting for any kind of return. I just wanted to do the right thing, and I appreciate what the company did for me.”
The government in Gamboa’s country of origin – the Philippines – was quick to pick up on the heartwarming story, announcing that it would pass a resolution of commendation and send the document to the cabbie.
Always up for a mystery, the poker industry is currently trying to fathom out the riddle of who the forgetful poker pro was, with names like Phil Galfond, Justin Bonomo, Ben Lamb and Mark Newhouse all being bandied about.