Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association

Sean Alfortish, the former president of the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association who served 28 months in federal prison for defrauding the organization and rigging a 2008 Louisiana HBPA election, is one of 18 individuals running for five owner seats on the horsemen's board of directors.

Fifteen trainers are running for five trainer seats and there are three candidates for Louisiana HBPA president, including current president Bernard Chatters.

Nominations closed Dec. 3 and the Louisiana HBPA's election process runs through March 30, 2021.

List of nominees for Louisiana HBPA board and presidency.

Alfortish pleaded guilty in 2011 to one felony count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, identity fraud, and health care fraud and was sentenced the following year to 46 months imprisonment. Alfortish, an attorney, has reportedly been disbarred. Two other Louisiana HBPA employees also pleaded guilty in connection with the election scheme. A subsequent audit of the Louisiana HBPA found hundreds of thousands of dollars had been spent inappropriately for Caribbean vacations, expensive gifts, and personal items.

Following his release from prison, Alfortish sought to regain his owner's license in Louisiana but was originally thwarted. Only after getting licensed in Texas and suing the Louisiana State Racing Commission was he permitted to be relicensed in the state.

Alfortish's name recently surfaced in connection with an insurance fraud investigation involving staged automobile accidents and personal injury claims in Louisiana. The FBI has joined that investigation.

The post Ex-Louisiana HBPA President Jailed For Rigging Election Running Again For Board Position appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Last Thursday evening marked the second time this year that the Louisiana State Racing Commission has issued an emergency order related to stabling, reports nola.com. After a request from the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the commission ordered both the Fair Grounds in New Orleans and Louisiana Downs in Bossier City to take in Thoroughbreds from Evangeline Downs (Opelousas).

Hurricane Laura's path of destruction left Delta Downs, in Vinton, La., in bad shape, and though an evacuation order was in place for the area, as many as 500 Quarter Horses and their caretakers had nowhere else to go. All managed to survive the hurricane, but now many are in temporary stabling locations with nowhere to train.

Evangeline Downs ended its Thoroughbred meet this weekend, and the horses at the Opelousas track would normally shift to Delta Downs for the next Thoroughbred race meet, while Delta's Quarter Horse population would shift to Evangeline. Since Delta is not in any condition to host racing, there simply aren't enough stalls to accommodate both populations at the same time.

The commission's decision would send Evangeline's Thoroughbreds to the Fair Grounds, while the Quarter Horses would be able to take up residence at Evangeline. However, Churchill Downs, Inc., the Fair Grounds' parent company, has said that the New Orleans track is not prepared to take on horses at this time. The track is in the midst of preventative maintenance, New Orleans has been a hotspot for Covid-19, and hurricane season is not yet ended.

“We would love to help,” Fair Grounds attorney David Waguespack said during Thursday's commission meeting, according to crescentcitysports.com. “We're just not able to do what the Commission wants us to do.”

The commission's order included that both Fair Grounds and Louisiana Downs provide: stabling for the horses, “customary accommodations” for their caretakers, training hours, and the necessary security and maintenance staff.

On Friday, Churchill's lawyers lodged a legal challenge asking an Orleans Parish judge to halt the order. A hearing is scheduled for this Friday, Sept. 11.

The post Hurricane Aftermath: Commission Orders Fair Grounds Open To Evacuees, Churchill Goes To Court appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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