Nick Surick aftermath

Quote from Lonnie on March 12, 2025, 3:56 PM

I'm curious about this one: 

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).

Quote from Bgtolex25 on March 14, 2025, 3:08 PM

Quote from Bgtolex25 on March 12, 2025, 3:42 PM

It isn’t USTA’s job to explain the original charges and to release the details of their investigations, 

I retract my statement from above.  This is a joke that more transparency is not forthcoming.  Are Bowden and Gingras “too” big to punish?  Bothers me more every time that I think about it.

Quote from MaywoodAl on March 14, 2025, 6:34 PM

Saw an article in the DRF harness report yesterday. No new info at all.

Quote from Bgtolex25 on March 15, 2025, 6:06 AM

Why not come out with a full(er) statement when the sanctions were announced?  Now Russell Williams gives out drips and drabs, which makes people further draw their own conclusions without the facts.  

https://ustrottingnews.com/harness-racing-update-story-details-usta-member-sanctions/

Quote from Colt45 on March 15, 2025, 5:16 PM

Can someone enlighten me as to what this is all about?

Quote from Bgtolex25 on March 15, 2025, 5:55 PM

@colt45

First, I invite anyone to jump in to help enlighten us all.  But for my cliff notes version is that Nick Surick was a blood doping felon who is serving a Federal Prison term of 62 months.  He was understandably banned by the USTA from all interest in the sport.  Bowden, Gingras and the others somehow helped him keep financial involvement and or mitigated his losses by fraudulently conspiring with him to minimize his losses or flat out laundering his money.  Who knows, because the USTA is protecting reputations(?) and not providing full transparency. 

I love the sport as you all do, and I think it is best to keeping it transparent.  

Quote from Bgtolex25 on March 16, 2025, 2:21 PM

https://www.youtube.com/live/xRH80O_-YzE?si=vFmWR2D8w_osaxdl

 

Anyone interested might want to watch this video from approximately the 32:15 to 43 minute span to learn more about the USTA’s investigative partner, Standardbred Racing Investigative Fund (SRIF), their focus, and processes.  

Quote from Bgtolex25 on March 16, 2025, 3:45 PM

https://ustrottingnews.com/srif-national-investigative-fund-launched-to-protect-horse-welfare-strengthen-integrity/

Some more background courtesy of TC Lane, C.O.O., USTA

Quote from Bgtolex25 on March 25, 2025, 12:37 PM

https://ustrottingnews.com/usta-responds-to-conflict-of-interest-claim-regarding-sanctions/

Why the USTA couldn’t have included much of this information when the sanctions were announced is beyond me.  But at least we are getting more information.  Of course Bowden and the others can sue, but then that would bring the details to light.  So far, they have elected to pay the fines and moved on.