On Saturday, March 20, the Executive Committee of the United States Trotting Association met and had a hearing on the appeal of the reciprocal suspension the USTA had imposed upon Jeffery Brooks et al

, in accordance with the by-laws of the USTA.

The lawyers for certain members of the Brooks family and business entities, at the hearing, emphasized that they were waiting to have a hearing on the regional suspension in Canada, and no date had yet been set for such a hearing. In accordance with the USTA by-laws, Brooks et al had been granted a stay, based upon USTA rules. After the hearing on Saturday, the Executive Committee heard from USTA attorney Don Brey, and voted to continue the stay at this time.

On Sunday, March 21, this decision was presented to the full board and discussed at length, and the Executive Committee’s action to continue the stay was supported. The stay may be reviewed upon the outcome of the Canadian appeal or other legal actions that may be taken in Canadian or Federal Courts, or elsewhere. At this point, Brooks’ attorneys strongly emphasized that Jeffery Brooks et al have not been charged with any crimes.

“With a lot of discussion and a lot of legal advice…we have taken the position that in the case of Jeffery Brooks [et al] that we have continued the stay that we issued them when they requested the hearing from the Canadian ruling,” said USTA President F. Philip Langley. “They have not had a hearing in Canada. We believe everyone is deserving of a hearing, and we will follow the laws under those circumstances.

“We have spent a great deal of time studying this information and listening to our attorneys. Our decision is to continue to stay until they have a hearing in Canada...or something else comes up in the case.”

(USTA)