Published on: September 16, 2024, 03:06h.
Last updated on: September 16, 2024, 03:06h.
The Hawthorne Race Course near Chicago has rejected a RICO lawsuit filed by a former board member alleging the racing of sick and injured horses, stating it is “false and misguided.”
The lawsuit, filed by veterinarian Christine Tuma, contends that track officials knowingly permitted unfit horses to race in order to increase wagering revenues to help fund a planned casino at the historic 133-year-old track.
According to the lawsuit, these actions resulted in the deaths of at least 21 horses between 2022 while also implicating the Illinois Racing Board (IRB).
“Commencing on or before March of 2022, the RICO Defendants established an enterprise, engaging in criminal activities with the goal of enriching themselves, maintaining their positions of power, and raising funds for the construction of a casino at the racetrack,” the lawsuit alleges.
Powers Removed
Tuma, a former member of the IRB, alleges she was stripped of her authority to disqualify sick horses in late 2022 by Illinois Racing Board state veterinarian Dawn Folker-Calderon. This occurred after a new policy was put in place requiring a second veterinary opinion to be sought whenever Tuma deemed a horse unfit to race.
If there was a discrepancy between the two opinions, Calderon would have final decision-making power. The lawsuit claims that over 80 of Tuma’s diagnoses were overruled as a result.
Out of the 30 horses deemed unfit by Tuma in late 2022, ten had died by the end of the year, according to the lawsuit.
Tuma also alleges that employees of Hawthorne and the IRB disseminated false information about the horses’ health to federal and state regulators in Illinois and Kentucky.
Tuma was terminated three months after sending a whistleblower letter outlining her accusations to the IRB and Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. The reason given for her termination was cost-saving measures, but Tuma claims it was retaliation.
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants are guilty of civil conspiracy, retaliatory termination, and violations of the Illinois Whistleblower Act, meeting the requirements for a RICO lawsuit.
Casino Project Delayed
In 2019, Illinois passed legislation granting racetracks the opportunity to apply for casino licenses. Hawthorne was preliminarily approved later that year and began demolition work on its grandstand. However, the casino project is currently on hold.
The Chicago Tribune reported in May that the track owners have struggled to secure loans for the casino construction and owe contractors $6.7 million.
Meanwhile, track officials stated they would “vigorously oppose” Tuma’s lawsuit in a statement issued last week.
Aside from defaming Hawthorne, the oldest family-owned racetrack in North America with an impeccable safety and integrity record, Tuma is utilizing the legal system to resolve professional disputes with other, more seasoned veterinarians at the track and the Illinois Racing Board,” a spokesperson mentioned.
“These professionals have devoted their careers at Hawthorne and the racing board to working with the utmost professionalism,” they added.