Hayward issues statement regarding buyout demands

by Press Release | 01.24.2013 | 2:26pm

Charles Hayward, former president and CEO of the New York Racing Association, issued a statement regarding his request for severance and attorney fees as detailed in the Albany Times-Union Thursday. The NYRA board deferred decision on Hayward’s demands, and similar ones by Counsel Patrick Kehoe until the conclusion of two state investigations into NYRA’s overcharging bettors by millions of dollars in takeout last year.

Hayward’s statement reads as follows:

Nearly nine months ago, my employment with the New York Racing Association was terminated arbitrarily and without cause, one week after the publication of an inaccurate “interim” report by the State Racing and Wagering Board. The NYRA Board of Directors denied my request for an opportunity to challenge the false allegations in the report or set the record straight.

The publication of the interim report led to two investigations. I have cooperated fully with both an internal NYRA investigation and with the New York Inspector Generalʼs investigation. To date, no report of either investigation has been issued to the public.

The allegations in the interim report were false. I did not act improperly in any way with respect to the “takeout” issue. I acted with complete integrity at all times during the 7 1/2 years I served NYRA, as I have throughout my career. I am proud of my contributions to NYRA and to New York racing, which today is widely regarded as the best in the country. Since May 2012, I have waited patiently for the matter of my improper termination to be satisfactorily addressed. I had an employment agreement with NYRA and met all of my obligations. I expect NYRA to do the same.

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jorge

Hayward has no shame. Fired countless long time employees of NYRA, while giving raises to himself and his close buddies. He cheapened the quality of New York racing to an all time low. It will take years to recover from his actions. He stole money from the betters and then lied about his knowledge of it. Was instrumental in giving away the land. Cuomo played him like an idiot . and now wants compensation? Jail time would be more appropriate .
jorge

Hayward has no shame. Fired countless long time employees of NYRA, while giving raises to himself and his close buddies. He cheapened the quality of New York racing to an all time low. It will take years to recover from his actions. He stole money from the betters and then lied about his knowledge of it. Was instrumental in giving away the land. Cuomo played him like an idiot . and now wants compensation? Jail time would be more appropriate .
Tinky

I freely admit that I do not have access to most of the material relevant to this case. Having said that, though, how Hayward’s claim of innocence could possibly hold up to scrutiny in light of the emails that were released publicly last spring is a mystery to me.
- ITPhasbeenblocked
  
  C’mon Tinky!
  
  Crist said it was an honest mistake. Hayward wins.
Tinky

I freely admit that I do not have access to most of the material relevant to this case. Having said that, though, how Hayward’s claim of innocence could possibly hold up to scrutiny in light of the emails that were released publicly last spring is a mystery to me.
ITPhasbeenblocked

C’mon Tinky!

Crist said it was an honest mistake. Hayward wins.
Steve Andersen

Even the thinnest of pancakes has two sides and unless all the facts are known it is impossible to pass judgement on anyone, Charlie, Patrick and Ellen all were straight with me in my dealings with them and have the right to defend themselves, likewise NYRA has its position as well and who knows what politics had to do with any of this?

Good luck to everyone, NYRA has great racing and a rich heritage, the less politicians are involved, the better.
Steve Andersen

Even the thinnest of pancakes has two sides and unless all the facts are known it is impossible to pass judgement on anyone, Charlie, Patrick and Ellen all were straight with me in my dealings with them and have the right to defend themselves, likewise NYRA has its position as well and who knows what politics had to do with any of this?

Good luck to everyone, NYRA has great racing and a rich heritage, the less politicians are involved, the better.
Smokey Glacken

Did anyone ever receive an answer, and the truth from Sabini, who was ONLY over-seeing NYRA at the time, over how he missed the sunsetting breach? You won’t find it, because Cuomo with his “selective perception” wasn’t interested, the same way he wasn’t interested in bringing charges against those politicians/cronies that were involved in the Aqueduct Entertainment Group bid-rigging casino scam.

“One of the reasons people hate politics is that truth is rarely a politician’s objective. Election and power are.”

Cal Thomas
Smokey Glacken

Did anyone ever receive an answer, and the truth from Sabini, who was ONLY over-seeing NYRA at the time, over how he missed the sunsetting breach? You won’t find it, because Cuomo with his “selective perception” wasn’t interested, the same way he wasn’t interested in bringing charges against those politicians/cronies that were involved in the Aqueduct Entertainment Group bid-rigging casino scam.

“One of the reasons people hate politics is that truth is rarely a politician’s objective. Election and power are.”

Cal Thomas
salthebarber

I have defended Charles Hayward vehemently over the last year. My opinion was formed based on all I could read about the subject. I also thought the incident smacked of dirty politics all relating to the casino bill. But, when all is said and done, the Inspector General has done an independent investigation and has not publicly isssued an opinion. This makes me even more suspicious about the Governor’s motivations here.
salthebarber

I have defended Charles Hayward vehemently over the last year. My opinion was formed based on all I could read about the subject. I also thought the incident smacked of dirty politics all relating to the casino bill. But, when all is said and done, the Inspector General has done an independent investigation and has not publicly isssued an opinion. This makes me even more suspicious about the Governor’s motivations here.
Jeffrey

Tom Noonan wrote an informative piece on this issue on May 18, 2012. The piece can be found here:

http://tenoonan.com/2012/05/18/something-fishy-about-nyra-controversy/

Don’t let your behavioral biases get in the way of the facts of a matter; it costs you at the windows.
Jeffrey

Tom Noonan wrote an informative piece on this issue on May 18, 2012. The piece can be found here:

http://tenoonan.com/2012/05/18…

Don’t let your behavioral biases get in the way of the facts of a matter; it costs you at the windows.