The folks who run the World Series of Poker (WSOP) have dodged a bullet.

A bullet of bad publicity that is–a bullet that could’ve become a fusillade.

A newspaper in Maryland reported that the man who finished in second place in the 2009 WSOP Main Event last month has a string of embarassing criminal arrests and convictions.

Had that man, Darvin Moon, won the ‘09 WSOP Main Event, it would have been even more embarassing for the WSOP and its corporate owner, Harrah’s Entertainment Inc.

It was bad enough last year when an ex-convict, David “Chino” Rheem of Florida, made the 2008 WSOP Main Event final table (he didn’t win the tournament).

Had another criminal not only made the WSOP Main Event final table this year but also won it, it would’ve been a humiliation for the WSOP than makes the daily antics of Phil “Poker Brat” Hellmuth Jr. seem innocuous in comparison.

The WSOP could have become a laughingstock.

The Baltimore City Paper reported that Maryland court records show that Maryland resident Moon pleaded guilty and received probation for counts of forgery and theft in 2003, and had to pay restitution of $6,146.

The paper also reported that Moon pleaded guilty and received probation for three counts of passing bad checks in 2004.

Two other bad-check charges were dropped in 2004, as was a harassment charge in 2007, the paper reported.

Moon also pleaded guilty and paid a fine for illegal open burning in 2007, the paper said.

Also in 2007, he failed to appear in court for a variety of traffic violations, and had his driver’s license suspended, the paper noted.

In addition, Moon was quick to help out other criminals, the paper said.

In 2002, Moon posted bail for a drug dealer who eventually received 10 years in prison, while in 2004 Moon bailed out a relative accused of an assault, the paper reported.

The paper also reported that multiple liens have been filed over the years against Moon, a logger by trade, by banks and other businesses for monies owed.

Moon owes $20,000 to a West Virginia bank, $1,000 to another bank, $13,000 to a California company and $1,000 to a Maryland company, the paper said.

Amazingly, with all his debts, Moon still refused to accept a bundle of cash to endorse an online poker room during the WSOP.

He was the only person who made the 2009 WSOP Main Event final table who did not accept fat endorsement bucks from an online poker site in exchange for wearing its logo on his clothing at the table.

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.)