Brooks, Bulletproof sue USTA, New York

After having its horses barred from racing in the United States and Ontario, Bulletproof Enterprises’ Jeffrey Brooks has reportedly filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Trotting Association and its executive vice president Mike Tanner, and the New York State Racing and Wagering Board and its chairman John Sabini and members Daniel Hogan and John Simoni. The Ontario Racing Commission is not named in the lawsuit.

 

Brooks told courhousenews.com that he has been barred from racing because of “a classic case of guilt by association,” because his brother, David, is on trial in New York State for alleged securities fraud.

 

The lawsuit reportedly states: “In a classic case of guilt by association, virtually the entire rationale contained in Ontario’s suspension order was the conduct of Jeffrey’s brother, and former licensee, David Brooks, who is presently on trial for securities fraud and related counts in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.”

 

Bulletproof and all Brooks’s entities were suspended by the Ontario Racing Commission on Jan 26, with the association also ordering the withholding of all purses owed to Jeffrey Brooks and the stable. The USTA then did the same a few days after. New York was named after Brooks said he tried to enter horses at Yonkers on Feb. 3, but was refused entry.

 

Brooks and Bulletproof are seeking $108 million in damages, alleging tortuous interference and due process violations. The suit was filed in the Southern District of New York (which includes Manhattan).

 

To read the entire courthousenews.com story, click here.