Latest news with #NewYorkStateGamingCommission
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Harness Trainer Convicted Of Two Felonies After Fracturing Horse's Skull
On April 7, harness racing trainer Frederick Bourgault was convicted of all charges against him in connection with the beating death of a Standardbred racehorse on July 17, 2023, at the Pine Bush Training Facility in the Town of Crawford, N.Y. Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced the convictions after a bench indictment charged Bourgault with Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree for having 'damaged' a racehorse named 'Finish Line,' that had an estimated value of at least five thousand mischief in the second degree is a class D felony, which carries a possible prison sentence between three to seven years. It was alleged that Bourgault struck the horse with a hard object causing a linear depressed skull fracture, which resulted in the horse having to be euthanized. The indictment also charged Bourgault with Interference with or Injury to Certain Domestic Animals, a felony under the New York State Agriculture and Markets Act, for willfully and unjustifiably injuring or destroying a racehorse. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7, a native of Canada, has a history of mistreatment charges against him in the NYSGC database, dating from 2021 through 2023. Three rulings state that Bourgault kicked his horse in the stretch or after the wire, while two additional rulings are for whipping violations, including one after finish line. The New York State Police, aided by the Orange County District Attorney's Office and New York State Gaming Commission, engaged in an investigation into the death of the 2012 gelding. The investigation included having the horse's remains exhumed and examined by experts at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. The New York State Gaming Commission provided expert witnesses and assisted in coordinating the arrest of Bourgault by the New York State Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police, BCI Middletown, for their investigation and the arrest of Bourgault, and the New York State Gaming Commission for their assistance and support of the arrest and prosecution.'The beautiful horse that was the victim of this defendant's senseless act of violence deserved the justice that was delivered on his behalf,' said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. 'We will not, as a civilized society, allow abusers to bring harm to helpless animals. My Office will continue to utilize all legal resources available and work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that crimes like these are investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent under law.' 'The New York State Gaming Commission is proud to work closely with law enforcement to protect horses and hold those who abuse them accountable,' said Sarah Klein, Director of the Gaming Commission's Division of Horse Racing. 'We are grateful for the work of the Orange County District Attorney's Office and the New York State Police in delivering justice for Mr. Bourgault's crimes.'District Attorney Hoovler highly commended Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Borek and Assistant District Attorney Roger Dean who prosecuted the criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Yahoo
Readers sound off on NYPD horse care, federal library cuts and an attempted assassin
Tuckahoe, N.Y.: The NYPD is reviewing its $734,000 contract with the veterinarian who oversees its mounted horses because they 'just discovered his history of violating racehorse care rules.' Among this veterinarian's many infractions and violations, which included several drugging offenses, he was found to have committed an improper and fraudulent act at Aqueduct Race Track by submitting health certificates for horses he didn't evaluate. He refused to list medications he gave, failed to follow licensing requirements, and was fined in 2020 for professional misconduct for failing to provide information to support his treatment of a horse in Queens. He even declared collapsed carriage horse Aysha to be in 'good condition' with 'no injuries consistent with abuse or mishandling,' despite online videos clearly showing carriage drivers pushing and dragging this poor horse directly following his collapse. Not surprisingly, the New York State Gaming Commission refuses to comment on this issue; their only interest is keeping the races going. And why won't the NYC Department of Health comment? What is it hiding? The abuses and cover-ups of the racehorse and carriage-horse industries have been documented for decades, both rife with big-money greed and corruption, with unions and public apathy keeping them going — aided, of course, by the fact that the animals can't complain. They are the perfect silent victims. NYPD, would you send your family to a doctor with such a horrible record? These beautiful animals can't speak for themselves. Please be their caring voice. They are put into treacherous situations with an unruly public. You depend on them — and they depend on you. They deserve better. Kiley Blackman Jamaica Hills: The world is going to hell in a handbasket! Have no fear, NYC residents, we can save the world by sorting through our garbage (or face fines). Who are these City Council members and how many of them actually live in NYC? Robert Gibbs Brooklyn: Voicer Gregory W. Chupa has apparently been gaslit on the NY HEAT Act. It would save New Yorkers money in a very simple way: reduce gas service charges by preventing gas companies from building unnecessary new pipelines. We pay for those, and the more people who voluntarily go electric, the smaller the pool of gas consumers left to foot the bill. NY HEAT in no way requires homeowners to electrify, buy new heating equipment or spend extra money. For low- to middle-income families, gas bills would be capped at 6% of earnings. That's what NY HEAT is really about, and why it's so important to our wallets and well-being, and why Gov. Hochul must include it in her final budget. Samantha Gore Staten Island: Re 'Poll: AOC would beat Schumer' (April 5): That says it all about the Democrats. Dumb and dumber. Thomas Fraumeni Jr. Manhattan: I've been a proud library card holder since I was 6 and intent on reading the entire children's section of the Bayside branch of the Queensborough Public Library. Less noticed among President Trump's giant cuts to health care, veterans' services, medical research and Social Security is the disappearance of the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. Staff is on administrative leave — paid but not allowed to work — and grant funding for 125,000 libraries nationwide is frozen. These grants are critical life support for services Americans need, like the 30 million people who rely on public libraries for internet access. Job seekers, veterans, rural residents and local schools need public libraries. Library cuts are cruelty imposed on Americans. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is fighting back. Everyone should be equally outraged at the harm being done to New Yorkers and Americans. Laurie Aron Centereach, L.I.: Don't believe or repeat Voicer Tom Asher's letter regarding Bill Clinton and Barack Obama laying off more government workers than President Trump without noting major key differences. Tom pulled that info from social media and/or Fox News — not always factual sources. In fairness, Clinton and Obama did cut hundreds of thousands of government workers, but through legitimate buyouts. They did these cuts with bipartisan congressional approval. Republicans and Democrats reviewed and approved these actions with intelligent thought and consideration. Trump set loose Elon Musk, who was designated a 'special government employee,' and he wantonly swung his 'chainsaw' without regard for his actions and without congressional oversight. Musk fired and rehired critical government employees, with difficulty, hundreds of times. This is not the way democracy works. Trump keeps mum while bringing Musk's Tesla automobiles to the White House driveway. You say hypocrisy, Tom? Richard Dragani Richmond Hill: To Voicer JoAnn Lee Frank: Regarding you desiring Trump for a third term, therefore you agree to disregard the Constitution? You are comfortable living under a dictatorship, agree with disrupting Social Security, the IRS, Medicaid, Medicare and the U.S. Postal Service, and his promotion of assault weapons? How about stripping memorials and all history of courageous Black and female heroes from government websites and history books? You must also approve of cuts to USAID, the National Institutes of Health and health departments. And because of his tariffs, all of us will pay more for every single item we purchase. Lastly, you must be comfortable with Musk sharing the presidency. All of our worldwide allies have deserted the U.S. and we now stand alone. I don't think most Americans will accept this for four more years. Ene Kelly Staten Island: It is said that Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Fast-forward two millennia and he has returned. This time he has a golf club in his hand rather than a fiddle. Ralph D'Esposito Ridgewood, N.J.: Trump's tariffs can be expected to increase U.S. unemployment and inflation. This double hit will not be easy to correct. Expect a Democratic congressional landslide in 2026. Ed Houlihan Jefferson City, Mo.: I am worried about the recent Trump administration decision to stop all USAID world food programs when millions of people in Sudan, Yemen and other areas are in danger of dying of starvation. U.S. aid provides at least five major benefits: 1) Saves millions from death of starvation and malnutrition-related infection. 2) Allows millions of children to grow into a healthy and productive adulthood. 3) Reduces the risk of war in impoverished areas. 4) Creates worldwide goodwill for the U.S. 5) Creates income for U.S. farmers and food processors. In the past 70 years, U.S. food programs have fed 3 billion people in 150 nations and have long enjoyed strong bipartisan support. To fight world hunger, I urge the government to reinstate funding for USAID food programs and urge the public to donate generously to charities that fight hunger abroad and in the U.S.A. Luke Curtis Jefferson City, Tenn.: I'm 66. I've been pro-Israel my entire life. However, being pro the country doesn't mean I support the actions of its government in Gaza, just as I am pro-U.S. but disagree with nearly everything my government has done since Jan. 20. Have the Israelis forgotten what the Nazis did to the Jews in the 1930s and '40s? Have they no sympathy for a minority people? I'm sure there are terrorists in Gaza — Hamas and others. But you don't annihilate an entire people to get at a few bad ones in their midst. Cutting off electricity and water is inhumane, as is bombing hospitals, schools and other places of refuge. Do you remember your fight for a homeland? Do you remember the Haganah and what they did to the British to gain a homeland? What makes you think the Palestinians won't do the same? Sean M. Talty Brooklyn: To all of you who write in all the time and seem to be very aware of things going on in this country, I have a question: Remember a few months back when the Secret Service arrested a man with a rifle on the golf course where Trump was playing? Does anyone know what happened to Ryan Routh? After that happened, we never heard a word. Norma Joseph
CBS News
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Coney Island artists concerned about controversial casino proposal
A New York City arts nonprofit says it's worried about the future if a controversial plan to build a casino in Coney Island moves forward. Coney Island Mermaid Parade could be jeopardized if casino is built, organizers say Artists with Coney Island USA, the arts nonprofit responsible for the summertime celebration and a variety of year-round beachside programs, are preparing to hold a mock funeral Saturday for one of their time-honored traditions: the iconic Mermaid Parade. Adam Rinn, the nonprofit's artistic director, says if developers have their way, the futures of both the parade and the organization are in jeopardy. "Our building is literally going to be surrounded by pallets of cinder blocks, by trucks, by chain link fences, by porta-potties. Who's going to come into our business for upwards of four years when this construction is going on to support us?" Rinn said. He's talking about the proposal to bring The Coney, a massive casino, hotel and entertainment venue to the area. It's one of the locations being evaluated for three downstate casino licenses to be awarded by the New York State Gaming Commission later this year. Casino would offer opportunity to invest in neighborhood, developers say Robert Cornegy, a spokesperson for The Coney, said the development seeks to support artists. "We have a $200 million fund that is for the community to access and to use in the way that it sees fit. If the Mermaid Parade is one of those ways, then certainly we'd be in support of that," he said. He argues that it would be an opportunity to invest in the neighborhood and to use funding to address longtime concerns like storm resiliency and boardwalk improvements. He also says it will bring thousands of union jobs. "Access to employment in this peninsula has been incredibly rare and scarce. The unemployment numbers are always higher in Coney Island than not only to the national average, but the city and state average," Cornegy said. Rinn doesn't believe that's the right argument. "Isn't it the city's job to invest in neighborhoods?" he asked CBS News New York's Hannah Kliger. "Why is it a private developer's job to cover infrastructure in a neighborhood? To me, that's just a bad deal." The Coney casino license bid continues despite community division Part of the proposal includes demapping several local streets to build the combined 1.3 million square foot development surrounding Coney Island USA's landmarked century-old headquarters. The building itself is protected and will remain but everything around it would have to be demolished. Community Board 13 did not approve the land use application, although the vote is considered advisory. Now the Brooklyn Borough President has one month to review the matter. "It would literally engulf our entire building," Rinn said of the street changes. "We've not seen any kind of studies that talk about pile driving and what that would do to the structural integrity of this building." Regardless of what happens during the Universal Land Use Review Procedure to change the streets, developers with The Coney continue their bid for the casino license, even if they have to amend its footprint. "I think there's a misconception that we're going to replace small businesses. No, we're going to work hand in hand and actually drive our customer base back out into the community," Cornegy said. It's a sore subject for local dad Kouichi Shirayanagi, who started an organization called Coney Islanders Against the Casino. "Casinos don't build. They take away from the economic vitality of a place. Because when people spend their money in a casino, they're not spending their money on local retail," he said. Developers claim their plan has community support among locals. Artists at Coney Island USA, though, hope the casino license does not go through so their mock mermaid memorial doesn't become a real one.
