NEW YORK -- With the New York Racing Association under fire as the Saratoga season approaches, the organization hires a former assistant U.S. attorney to be its acting general counsel and chief ethics and compliance officer.In a release, NYRA says Kenneth Handal is an expert in corporate ethics and compliance, governance and risk management.
The hiring comes shortly after the organization terminated two high-ranking officials following allegations that NYRA knowingly withheld more than $8 million in winnings due to bettors.
Issues were also recently raised by the governor's office regarding safety of horses at NYRA-operated tracks.
NYRA Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer Ellen McClain said she expects that Handal can help guide the company through the issues it's currently facing.