Wallis implicated in Michigan race fixing

Harnessracing.com has obtained a copy of the ruling issued by the Michigan Gaming Control Board suspending driver Kevin Wallis immediately through Dec. 31. In giving the explanation of the penalty, the ruling states in part that in a June 22 hearing with state stewards he denied accepting money or giving money to other drivers for participation in race fixing. The ruling alleges that Wallis’s testimony contradicted testimony given by unnamed drivers that they accepted money in exchange for participating in fixed races and that Wallis had received money and paid the drivers for their participation.

The complete explanation of what transpired from the June 22 hearing reads as follows:

"While under oath, Mr. Wallis provided false and misleading statements to the stewards’ questions. Specifically, Mr. Wallis denied accepting money for his participation in race fixing, and also denied that he ever gave money to other drivers for their participation in race fixing. These responses contradicted the transcripts generated from three separate interviews of other drivers. In those interviews, the other drivers admitted to accepting money in exchange for their participation in fixing races, and also implicated Mr. Wallis as someone who both received money and paid other drivers for their participation in race fixing.

"Mr. Wallis’ admissions also constitute a violation of R431.1130. In particular, Mr. Wallis received things of value (i.e. liquor and cigars) for providing information to a gambler named Saleh Summa, and influencing 9 races in which Mr. Wallis participated. This practice is known as “touting,” in violation of R431.1125, and is evidenced by the stewards’ review of cell phone records, race charts and video replays, tote betting records, and W2G’s for 9 races conducted at Hazel Park Harness Raceway in 2008 and 2009. Mr. Wallis also violated R431.1115 by not immediately reporting an “offer of promise of a gratuity” or “request or suggestion of a bribe” to the stewards or MGCB.

"Finally, Mr. Wallis failed to produce all bank records for calendar years 2008 and 2009 as requested in the May 10, 2010 MCGB summons served by the Florida Racing Commission, and the second summons issued to Mr. Wallis on June 4, 2010, by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. By failing to produce all of these documents at the time of the stewards’ hearing, Mr. Wallis has failed to comply with the conditions precedent for occupational licensing in Michigan as outlined in R431.1035."

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