Harness: Seven sanctioned by USTA Board after SRIF investigation

Today (March 11) the US Trotting Association's communications department issued a release on fines and/or suspensions handed out to seven members. That release appears below with additional information of each rule outlined. That a member violated a portion of any rule does not mean that they violated every part.

At its annual meeting on Sunday (March 9) in Columbus, Ohio, the US Trotting Association (USTA) Board of Directors voted to hand down sanctions to seven members judged to have violated Association rules and/or bylaws.

The Board relied upon the results of a nearly year-long probe conducted by the Standardbred Racing Investigative Fund (SRIF), which earlier this year reported its discoveries. The findings of violations resulted from an investigation into misconduct committed in connection with former USTA member Nick Surick. In accordance with USTA Bylaw 8.01, the disciplinary actions may not be appealed.

“These investigations are the first to be completed but they will not be the last,” said Russell Williams, President of US Trotting. The alliance between the Standardbred Racing Investigative Fund and US Trotting will enhance protection of USTA data integrity, including registration and transfer of horses. It will also encourage transparency and fair dealing among the membership. USTA staff handled these matters with the utmost competence. Our board made its determinations fairly and resolutely.”

Those Association members penalized or cited are:

Joel Benson (Pompano Beach, FL)
Two-year suspension of membership and a fine in the amount of $50,000 for violation of USTA Rule 20.06 (Fraudulent Misconduct by Member); USTA Bylaws §§ 1:04(a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(5).

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is from the USTA rulebook: 20.06 Fraudulent Misconduct by Member — Any misconduct on the part of a member of the USTA fraudulent in its nature although not specified in these rules, is forbidden. Any person or persons who, individually or in concert with one another shall fraudulently and corruptly by any means affect the outcome of any race or affect a false registration or commit any other act injurious to the sport shall be guilty of a violation.]

Adam Bowden (Lexington, KY)
A fine in the amount of $28,000 for violation of USTA Rule 20.06 (Fraudulent Misconduct by Member).

Diamond Creek Farm LLC (Wellsville, PA)
A fine in the amount of $5,000 for violation of USTA Rule 26.16 (Failure to Submit Information).

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is from the USTA rulebook: 26.16 Failure to Submit Information — Failure by a member to submit requested information or additional aids to identification relative to the breeding, registration and/or transfer of a horse to the USTA may subject the member to suspension by the USTA.]

Yannick Gingras (Allentown, NJ)
A fine in the amount of $5,000 and a written reprimand for violation of USTA Rule 20.07 (Conspiracy to Commit Violation of Rules) in conspiring to violate USTA Rule 20.06 (Fraudulent Misconduct by Member).

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is from the USTA rulebook: 20.07 Conspiracy to Commit Violation of Rules.—If two or more persons shall combine and confederate together in any manner regardless of where the said persons may be located for the purpose of violating any of the Rules of the USTA and shall commit some act in furtherance of the said purpose and plan it shall constitute a conspiracy and a violation.]

Shaun R. Laungani (Lexington, KY)
A fine in the amount of $7,000 for violation of USTA Rule 20.06 (Fraudulent Misconduct by Member).

Debbie Surick (Freehold, NJ)
Permanent expulsion of membership for violation of USTA Rule 20.06 (Fraudulent Misconduct by Member); Rule 20.07 (Conspiracy to Commit Violation of Rules); Rule 20.15 (False Ownership); Rule 26.16 (Failure to Submit Information): Bylaws §§ 1.04(a)(7); 1.04(a)(2), and 1.04(a)(5).

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is from the USTA rulebook: 20.15 False Ownership — Any person who knowingly makes a false representation or knowingly causes a false representation to be made that a horse is not owned wholly or in part by a person or persons barred or otherwise disqualified from participating in racing when, in fact, the horse is so owned, shall be suspended from membership in this association for a minimum of one year.]

Elizabeth C. Yontz (Paris, KY)
A fine in the amount of $2,500, the entire sum suspended, and a written reprimand for violation of USTA Rule 20.06. (Fraudulent Misconduct by Member).