Brooks released from jail, sent to guarded confinement

Standardbred owner David Brooks, arrested last October on several charges, including securities and tax fraud, was released from prison Thursday by a New York federal judge and sent to home confinement as he awaits trial. Brooks, the owner of such horses as 2004 Little Brown Jug winner Timesareachanging, Grinfromeartoear, I Am A Fool and Western Terror, was accused of stealing nearly $200 million from his former company DHB Industries.

According to published reports, Brooks will go to an apartment at an undisclosed location, where he will be under armed guard 24 hours a day. Visitation rights will be severely restricted, and he will be able to leave the premises only for court appearances and doctor appointments.

As part of the agreement, Brooks posted a $400-million personal recognizance bond that was co-signed by his brother, Jeffrey, his ex-wife, Terry, and two of his children. The bond is secured by $48 million in assets. Brooks also surrendered his passport.

A pretrial hearing is expected to be held later this month, with the trial likely to begin in about six months.

Court documents have also revealed that Brooks recently sent $4 million to tribal holy men in Senegal, West Africa, for religious ceremonies to help in his acquittal. Prosecutors also alleged Brooks has ties to organized crime, threatened and intimidated dozens of witnesses, and that the $4 million was sent to a country that did not have an extradition treaty with the United States.