ORC Clears Reinsmen of Race Fixing
The Ontario Racing Commission ruled this week that the charges against two drivers, Kevin Wallis and Gene Piroski should be lifted permanently.
The two were slapped with heavy fines and suspensions for alleged race fixing but the Windsor Sun reported that the pair have now been cleared of all charges through lack of evidence.
No news was given in the article regarding the fate of a third driver, Brad Forward, who had also been fined and suspended in the same case.
According to Wallis' lawyer: "The Ontario Racing Commission appeals panel cleared him today in a lengthy, written decision, about 36 pages."
Piroski's only comment on the appeals panel ruling was: "I have been cleared."
'Races of Interest'
Last year, in September, the Ontario Racing Commission said that its Investigations Unit would be joining forces with the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Gaming Control Board in order to investigate a series of what they terms 'races of interest'.
These races allegedly took place at Windsor Raceway and Michigan race tracks, and their results raised the suspicions of the authorities, where race fixing was considered.
Also helping in the investigation against the drivers was the Canadian Pari Mutual Agency (CMPA). This body is responsible for supervising licensed pari-mutuel betting processes in Canada.
All these investigations examined races which took place as far back as the very beginning of 2008.
The findings were that a number of licensees who were racing at Windsor conspired to affect the outcome of the horse races, resulting in suspensions and fines.
Three men, all from Ontario, were given these suspensions and fines.
Kevin Wallis from Maidstone received a twelve year suspension - the longest out of the three - and a $100,000 fine, while Gene Piroski's fine was the same, but he was suspended for 'only' for 10 days. Brad Forward was suspended for five years and faced a fine of $5,000.
As stated, Wallis and Piroski saw their charges dropped this week, and the industry is waiting to hear about the outcome of Forward's appeal.
