Probe of NYRA execs may be launched - NYRA may lose slots subsidies

[Canarsie]

Originally Posted by Robert Goren

What are you talking about? you asked people who violated sales tax laws and I answered at least here in Nebraska people do get prosecuted for it. The AG's office does it. Am I cop going around checking on merchants? No. But they have them. If you had ever been in a management position for a retail business, you know that. For the record I did not know about his tax fraud until the court case was over. I had no problem with them prosecuting him. He plead guilty and paid a fine. Case Closed.
I am a frequent poster in the off topics side. As to Corzine being a crook, you are wrong about the number. My post are there for everybody to see. You shouldn't assume such things. It cuts into your credibility.

My credibility stands with myself that's what matters most to me.

Your reading comprehension is severely lacking so lets go over it again. That is the reason why you would ask "what am I talking about"?

I talked about Macy's and you bring up your friend. WHERE did I say anything about people till after you mentioned your friend? I was bringing up a corporation not a small business. I really don't care if either has a tax issue as a customer there should be a credit on the account. Your the ONE who sidestepped the question!!!

I asked how many times you called him a crook did I not? Please show me where I mentioned a number inquiring minds would like to know. I asked if it was compatible to this thread. Last time I looked they taught me in school that those sentences were posed as questions. DID I NOT SAY POLITICS ASIDE!!! That was the only number which I mentioned and since Corzine was a politician it still will be zero. If I'm feeling generous it will be one just like it was stated.

Also did I not say my GUESS!!!

So the fine was paid and case closed huh. So if NYRA paid a fine or interest would you drop this? Me thinks not. Talk about a DOUBLE STANDARD.

Again who has tried to shut you up? It easy to make accusations but very HARD to use names isn't it? Certainly not me I defended your RIGHT to say whatever you darn please here. Why don't you take a stab "spinning" on that issue.

Please read my posts thoroughly and don't cherry pick them. There is no harm in rereading a post or taking a deep breath before you reply.

Sheeesh talk about credibility problems.

[Robert Goren]

Originally Posted by Canarsie

I have a question for you if I may. Have you actually made any wagers on these type of races that people were affected by? I can see customers complaining strongly that were affected but not just posting for arguments sake.

If you didn't play what was the damage that was done to you as an individual. You previously stated there are a minimal amount of tracks you play isn't that correct? Isn't NYRA on your list of too high takeout tracks?

If Macy's incorrectly charged the wrong amount of sales tax would you be jumping up and down taking the same stance?

I thought I had my self prefectly clear on this so I will try a one word answer. Yes.
Now back to topic at hand. NYRA

[FenceBored]

Originally Posted by cj

Changing a pool that was not successful at all to try to drum up business is a LOT different than cutting takeout on the biggest pools at the track. The P6 thing wasn't going to hurt OTB one iota, thus it wasn't fought.

From the same article as before on the 2004 P6 takeout reduction:

As some lawmakers and off-track betting corporations push for an increase in pari-mutuel takeout, New York regulators March 30 agreed to lower the takeout on certain pick six wagers at New York Racing Association tracks.

...NYRA has told regulators it expects pick six handle on non-carryover days to increase by 10% because of the takeout reduction. OTB corporations, which insist NYRA's march to lower takeout rates hasn't produced the financial benefits NYRA claims, opposed the pick six takeout reduction.

Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...#ixzz1vvaSg9Ez

Gee, looks like Barry Shwartz was able to frustrate the wishes of the OTBs.

Originally Posted by cj

The bolded part is hilarious. Frustrate them? They can't win that fight. It is clear to me you really don't know much about how things have worked in New York over the years. They ask, and are told yes or no. Sure, they can fight, but you learn over time to fight battles you can actually win.

They can't win a fight they don't engage in. They can't win a fight they don't work at. They can't win a fight by just sitting in their offices complaining about how the governor is a big meanie in emails to their media friends.

[cj]

Originally Posted by FenceBored

They can't win a fight they don't engage in. They can't win a fight they don't work at. They can't win a fight by just sitting in their offices complaining about how the governor is a big meanie in emails to their media friends.

If you think the climate has been right the past several years to ask for a takeout reduction, you don't follow the sport. What would have been the best time, while operating under a deferred prosecution agreement or during the bankruptcy?

[jelly]

Originally Posted by FenceBored

They can't win a fight they don't engage in. They can't win a fight they don't work at. They can't win a fight by just sitting in their offices complaining about how the governor is a big meanie in emails to their media friends.

Amen brother

[Dahoss9698]

Originally Posted by cj

If you think the climate has been right the past several years to ask for a takeout reduction, you don't follow the sport. What would have been the best time, while operating under a deferred prosecution agreement or during the bankruptcy?

Amen brother

[Indulto]

http://www.drf.com/news/nyra-fee-dispute-getnick-and-getnick-flares-anew
NYRA: Fee dispute with Getnick and Getnick flares anew
By Matt Hegarty 05/25/2012

… The filings by Getnick and Getnick were first reported by the New York Times, which called the document Getnick and Getnick delivered to the board a “corruption report.”

Even Hegarty found Drape's piece worthy of a quote.”

… At the time that NYRA and Getnick and Getnick became embroiled in the dispute over the company’s fees, the association’s contract with the company had been targeted by the state comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli, in a 2010 audit. The audit questioned the amounts that NYRA paid to the firm and said that NYRA should explore ways to trim the expense of maintaining Getnick and Getnick’s services.

The audit said that NYRA paid Getnick and Getnick a minimum of $125,000 a month and that NYRA had paid the company $2.2 million over a 17-month period. However, the audit noted that applying the company’s billable hourly rate would have reduced the $2.2 million amount by $451,691, and it also criticized an arrangement in which Getnick and Getnick was paid for hours it did not work under the promise that the company would provide the services at a later date.

“We respect the necessary independence of the firm and the need to have the payment for its work guaranteed,” the audit said. “We recommend NYRA and the firm revisit the payment terms of the contract to ensure that the billing arrangement is appropriate for maintaining the objectives of the Integrity Counsel as well as the financial stability of NYRA.” …

Looks like Di Napoli’s strategy of “divide and conquer” worked.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/143627571d8d4a3694b6aae1f6e50773/NY--NY-Racing-NYRA/
NYRA’s former integrity watchdog accuses it of suppressing an internal corruption report
MICHAEL GORMLEY Associated Press May 25, 2012

… State Sen. John Bonacic, chairman of the State Senate's Racing, Gaming & Wagering Committee, said NYRA should waive attorney-client privilege and allow the release of documents held by their former lawyers.

"NYRA is using the attorney/client privilege as a sword and a shield; a sword to stab at the public's quest for integrity, and a shield from the public's right to know the whole truth and nothing but the truth in relation to NYRA," said Bonacic. …

[Indulto]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/70059/former-nyra-investigator-says-he-was-fired#ixzz1vwnhzf5R
Former NYRA Investigator Says He Was Fired
By Tom Precious May 25, 2012

… a source close to NYRA with knowledge of Getnick's work said Getnick's information was provided to the board, but only after Getnick had been fired, and that the lawyer's findings were rejected. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted Getnick, despite his monitoring role, also did not catch the pari-mutuel takeout error in which bettors were charged higher rates on exotic bets.

The source close to NYRAalso noted that Getnick's report was shared with multiple state agencies, and that those agencies have the ability, if they want, to make Getnick's information available to the public.

… Getnick said state investigators in recent months have sought information from his firm about NYRA as part of various probes under way involving NYRA.

… Getnick said NYRA has blocked requests by state regulators seeking information from him. The court papers say NYRA has asserted attorney-client privileges and that Getnick cannot provide documents or other information to racing regulators or others looking into NYRA operations.

… Getnick’s hiring was part of the settlement agreement between NYRA and federal prosecutors.

… In 2010, Getnick claims, NYRA “ceased to provide information critical” to his monitoring work, a move he said amounted to a fundamental breach of his contract with NYRA. …

… The court papers say the Getnick report pertains, at least partly, to the state’s investigation into higher-than-permitted takeout rates on exotic bets at NYRA over a 15-month period, which cost bettors $8.5 million. Getnick claims he “wishes to cooperate with the state’s investigation, but has been blocked by NYRA from doing so.”

[PaceAdvantage]

Attorney-client privilege is as close to sacred as one gets...why would anyone want to champion the breaking of this trust, especially Getnick himself? Why would I ever want to hire an attorney that would eagerly want to break attorney-client privilege? Can you say "bad for business?"

[cj]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

Attorney-client privilege is as close to sacred as one gets...why would anyone want to champion the breaking of this trust, especially Getnick himself? Why would I ever want to hire an attorney that would eagerly want to break attorney-client privilege? Can you say "bad for business?"

Not with the people that hire that firm. Hmmmm....Bruno hates NYRA, the firm defends NYRA. Now the Dems want the slots money, the firm is out to get NYRA. Three blind mice can see what is going on here.

[Indulto]

http://poststar.com/news/opinion/editorial/editorial-takeover-of-nyra-is-just-the-start/article_07d83d1c-a6d3-11e1-9774-0019bb2963f4.html
EDITORIAL: Takeover of NYRA is just the start

… Maybe NYRA stood for “Nothing You Rave About.”

… it shows you the depths to which NYRA’s reputation has plunged when we applaud political appointees riding to the rescue.

… We as a community have been lucky enough to have a front row seat to the true majesty of thoroughbred horse racing each year at Saratoga Race Course. …

… Few are alive today who remember when horse racing was king. It was far more popular in the 1940s and ’50s than professional football and basketball are today.

… Locally, we often have blinders to these facts because of the effect Saratoga has on our economy and our psyches. …

… Racing is big here, but not in most other places. The new board is going to have to ask difficult questions about whether there is too much racing in New York City and not enough in Saratoga Springs. …

… We suspect a contraction of thoroughbred racing will be in order that may include racing days, meets and maybe even the number of tracks. … Only the Saratoga meet, which is the shortest, is wildly successful. A reduction of racing days would put some horsemen out of business, but that is capitalism — supply and demand.

… Ultimately, we find it hard to believe this new board could do worse than NYRA has. But we urge it to be aggressive and decisive in its decision-making. Horse racing is no longer king nationally, but it is royalty here. …

[Dahoss9698]

I guess it makes sense the misinformed stay that way, as they just recycle their arguments from misinformed members of the "media". From the "editorial" the bored one posted.

Forgetting to pay off nearly $8 million in winnings to its customers over the past six months was the final straw — at least we hope it was.

Hmmm...confused much?

[classhandicapper]

The more I read this thread the more I believe all the players involved are operating within a web of corruption and incompetence that would boggle the mind of an average guy like me who is actually fairly used to seeing financial and other payoffs to get contracts, get things done etc.. in the private sector.

That's not to say that every individual in the saga is corrupt, but the system in which racing is operating may be the pinnacle of such behavior.

[FenceBored]

Originally Posted by cj

If you think the climate has been right the past several years to ask for a takeout reduction, you don't follow the sport. What would have been the best time, while operating under a deferred prosecution agreement or during the bankruptcy?

Oh, I don't know, how about WHEN THE FREAKIN LAW CHANGED IN 2010!


Sheesh, get a clue.

[cj]

Originally Posted by FenceBored

Oh, I don't know, how about WHEN THE FREAKIN LAW CHANGED IN 2010!


Sheesh, get a clue.

So, you at least give in on your ridiculous claims that NYRA should have been asking for takeout requests in the prior decade. Funny how you change the time frame now.

I've never once argued that NYRA shouldn't have asked for the takeout reduction in 2010. Nice spin though. I've only said it is my opinion it was an honest mistake, not some conspiracy to screw bettors.

So, now we've come full circle. You're learning about the past, and now we're back to where this all started. Did they know or not? I guess we'll find out sooner or later, but what does it matter now? Changes have been made and we'll see how it works.