Which schools are more lenient on the employment verification?

Try Carolina Logistics. It's a Russian outfit in North Carolina.
CRST - can make a decent living there if you sign up for a dedicated account.

 

Read the Millis threads on here. Very informative.

 

Very good choice...where you located?

 

Generally, they just want to know you arent fibbing about your "stint in prison". Just be honest. Tell them what you were doing, and why. Being self employed is pretty common. Did you win a few tournaments? Offer some documentation of your winning. I don't know what the form is, but the IRS has one, I'm sure. I know the company I am with takes things on a case by case basis. As long as they feel you are being honest about your work history, or lack thereof, and you are an acceptable applicant otherwise, you'd be ok, most likely.

 

Homeland Security requires information on prospective applicants to account for time spent employed and in any gap between employment. Your poker time card seems to be adequate. All employers have to check this when involved in sensitive work such as Trucking on everyone who applies.