Forward, Piroski, Wallis Fined, Suspended

Published: September 3, 2010 12:20 pm EDT

In keeping with the mandate of the Ontario Racing Commission to protect the integrity of racing and maintain the fairness of the sport, the director has ordered the immediate suspension of the licenses of three

people.

In addition, the director has issued proposed orders to suspend their licences for an extended period, and ordered fines.

The ORC Investigations Unit – including members of the OPP Illegal Gambling Unit seconded to the ORC – teamed with the Michigan State Police (MSP) and the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) in the investigation of 'races of interest' at Michigan race tracks and Windsor Raceway.

The management of Windsor Raceway cooperated and assisted fully in the investigation and is not part of this action.

The Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA), the federal agency responsible for supervising licensed pari-mutuel betting systems in Canada, also assisted in the investigation. The collaborative effort examined races from January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2010.

The suspensions and fines are a result of an investigation into allegations that certain licensees racing at Windsor Raceway were conspiring to affect the outcome of horse races.

Receiving suspensions and fines are:

Brad O. Forward, Woodstock, Ont. - 5 years, fine of $5,000
Gene T. Piroski, Cottam, Ont. - 10 years, fine of $100,000
Kevin W. Wallis, Maidstone, Ont. - 12 years, fine of $100,000

In addition, Arthur McIlmurray, (not currently licensed by the ORC) of Northville, Michigan is hereby ruled ineligible to be licensed in Ontario until such time as he appears before the director.

All parties are entitled to a hearing before a panel of the Ontario Racing Commission in relation to these suspensions and fines.

As a result of the professionalism and vigilance of ORC Racing Officials and the Investigations Unit, the public and the racing community can be assured that horse racing in Ontario is fair, and well regulated.

(ORC)

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