LSN Editorial
On Monday, February 11, two days after the legislature was called in for a special session to discuss and pass laws pertaining to ethics and good government, the Racing Commission, on very short notice, was ignobly summoned to a senate committee meeting in Baton Rouge.
Three members of the committee overruled the Racing Commission and struck down a rule of the Commission based on the testimony of Mr. Sean Alfortish, President of the HBPA, (Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association) and Mr. Jim Gelpi, General Counsel for the HBPA.
At a time when ethics laws, good government and transparency are at the forefront of the administration’s agenda, such conduct by the three senators doesn’t bode well for good government.
The problem arises in that the Racing Commission’s responsibilities are to provide rules and regulations to all race tracks, trainers and owners, including the HBPA, that will ensure and enforce honesty in the Sport of Kings. There are differences of opinion at times that cause an adversary relationship between the Commission and certain members of the HBPA but they are normally worked out between them.
It is common knowledge that the HBPA, over the objections of some of their board members, gave up to $200,000 to candidates for Senate and the House of Representatives.
One estimate is that money was given to 78 candidates and 75 of those the HBPA backed won their races. It has been reported that the HBPA wants to name some of the appointees to the Racing Commission. An employee reported that the governor had promised to let them name five members to the commission.
This would be tantamount to having the fox guarding the henhouse and not a good idea.
Senator Gautreaux of Abbeville attended the committee meeting and quickly let it be known which side he was on and it wasn’t the Commission’s.
Mr. Alfortish, and Gautreaux were outspoken participants in the meeting. A newspaper columnist who attended the meeting wrote: “He (Gautreaux) didn’t compare the commission to the Gestapo during the meeting, but he did in conversation with yours truly afterwards”.
Records show that Alfortish made political contributions of $2,500 to Gautreaux. Gautreaux would not vent his anger against the Commission for such a paltry sum and vote to strike down their ruling so there must be other reasons that have not yet surfaced.
The Senate Committee’s unusual ruling against the Racing Commission threatens the independence of the Commission and its ability to adequately enforce the rules of racing that are vitally needed to police an industry that is fraught with dishonest and shady characters.
Having three legislators overrule the Racing Commission sends the wrong message to crooks who are forever trying to dope horses in order to win races.
It also undermines public confidence in the sport of racing that is of the utmost importance to the general public who attend and support racing.
Witnesses who attended the meeting were at a loss to understand the two other senator’s positions because they knew of no reason for them to support or tolerate such obvious animosity towards the Commission.
On the other side of the horn, when it came to Gautreaux’s attacks, Commission members believe they know why Gautreaux was so obviously hostile. It was reported that Gautreaux owns and races horses. One of his horses won a race at Louisiana Downs. The horse was tested and proved positive for dope.
Thus the Racing Commission, under its rules, refused to give Gautreaux his share of the $40,000 purse money, reportedly $24,000. Gautreaux became extremely angry, agitated and demanded his money. As a state senator, he raised a ruckus with the Commission but the Commission was not dissuaded.
Since then, according to members of the Commission, Gautreaux has made no attempt to disguise his extreme dislike for the Racing Commission or its members and this is the second punitive action in which he has used his political power to hinder the Commission’s duties and responsibilities.
It should be clear; no one accused Gautreaux of doping his horse. In truth and fact, we don’t believe it was done with his knowledge and consent.
Still, his shameful conduct is not becoming the high, ethical and powerful office of a state senator. He is a proponent of good government but, from improprieties such as this, it is easy to see how his constituents might think he is for good government for everyone else, but not for himself.
More importantly, the brazen attempt to discredit and undermine the Racing Commission goes beyond the pale and should not, cannot be allowed by Governor Jindal and his staff who are committed to good government.
And the Governor should be aware that some of those who talk good government talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.
LSN