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Paragallo sentenced to two years in jail

Posted: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 2:58 PM

by Frank Angst

A New York court has sentenced former Thoroughbred owner and breeder Ernie Paragallo to two years in jail and fined him $33,000 for animal abuse charges.

Paragallo was fined $1,000 for each count of animal cruelty stemming from an April 8, 2009 raid on his Center Brook Farm in Climax, New York where animal control officials discovered Thoroughbreds that had not been cared for.

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has initiated administrative action seeking to prevent Paragallo from returning to racing. It potentially imposes civil fines in connection with the 33 counts of animal cruelty for which was convicted in Greene County Court.

According to legal papers prepared by the board staff, Mr. Paragallo has been directed to show cause on June 24 why the board should not bar him from New York racing and attending tracks and fine him up to  $5,000 for each of the criminal convictions.

“The proper care and welfare of the equine athletes running on New York tracks is a top priority for this board and the vast majority of Thoroughbred and Standardbred owners and trainers in New York share this same objective,” said NYSRWB Chairman John Sabini. “The fact that Mr. Paragallo neglected his responsibilities to his horses under the criminal law has been decided during the recent trial culminating with his conviction in Greene County Court.

“Our action today will initiate a hearing into whether he violated his responsibility as a Board licensee to racing and the welfare of horses and, if so, what may be the appropriate administrative penalties.”

The board also has directed Paragallo to show cause why he should not be assessed with possible stiff fines for knowingly racing horses whose owners were not all properly licensed and for concealing his role as an actual owner of numerous horses that participated in races in New York. The charges allege 1,584 races were conducted that included horses whose owners were unlicensed or concealed.  Paragallo could face additional fines for these alleged violations if it is determined that he ran the horses in the names of unlicensed or sham owners.

The legal papers prepared by the Board staff direct Paragallo to show why he should not be barred from all New York tracks, fined, and declared ineligible to seek an occupational license from the board. Last year, the board revoked Paragallo’s privileges as an authorized agent for race horses following his arrest by New York State Police.

Frank Angst is senior writer for THOROUGHBRED TIMES

READER COMMENTS

Posted by: Peg, Gainesville, GA on May 23, 2010 at 09:05 AM While 2 years in jail and $33K in fines doesn't seem like much now, it sends a message to other would-be animal abuse/neglect people that the world is watching and we won't tolerate this type of behavior any longer. Times they are a changin ! Report Abuse Posted by: Nina, Stephentown, NY on May 21, 2010 at 01:37 PM I am quite sure that this small fine doesn't come near to the cost the Columbia Greene Humane Society bore dealing with this case. It is a true travesty that this guy got a mere slap on the hand for his blatant abuse. Report Abuse Posted by: Bellwether, Chesapeake, VA on May 20, 2010 at 12:15 AM LETS All HOPE HE CHANGES HIS WAYS...TWO YRS & FINE IS FAIR... Report Abuse Posted by: Jennifer Gage, Bensenville, IL on May 20, 2010 at 12:33 AM What a joke! 33,000? It's laudable. This guy should never be allowed near a horse, race, have any connection with the racing industry, etc. Two years jail time is a joke as well. He'll be back at it within the year after he is released. I doubt he takes any of this seriously either. Report Abuse Posted by: Ellen, Jordanville, NY on May 19, 2010 at 05:02 PM $33, 000 is a drop in the bucket compared to what this man owes to these horses and what he expected to get from them. Let him back on a race track?? NEVER!He was ound guilty in a court of law. I own and care for thoroughbreds and his type gives all of us a bad name. They should lock him up and throw away the key. He doesn't even deserve bread & water or should I say hay & water. Report Abuse