It has been reported that a former assistant money-room employee at a racetrack will be facing formal charges relating to stealing money and manipulating records.

According to an article which appears on abc6.com, Pawtucket, Rhode Island resident Joseph Sears, 45, will be arraigned June 12 on accusations that he stole $61,000 and manipulated the books in the Plainridge Racecourse money room.

The report has cited the office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley as alleging that Sears stole money during a 10-month period spanning April 2013 and January 2014.

It was announced last spring that former Plainridge Racecourse President and CEO Gary Piontkowski left the company due to health reasons. Months later, allegations hit the press which alleged that Piontkowski was removed by Plainridge owners and officials over alleged 'withdrawals' from the track's money room on an almost-daily basis.

In February, Plainridge Racecourse was awarded the state’s final and much-coveted slots-parlour licence.

(With files from abc6.com)