USHWA To Replace Stolen Ring

It has been reported that 96-year-old United States Harness Writers Association co-founder Murray Janoff has had his gold Hall Of Fame ring stolen by a caregiver that is now facing charges. The ring, unfortunately, has since been

melted down.

A report by The Palm Beach Post News explains that the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office has charged Lycille Delmond, 32, with exploitation of the elderly under $20,000, dealing in stolen property, and fraudulently pawning items. She has since been fired from her job.

Delmond has reportedly confessed to taking the ring and selling it. She has claimed that she needed the money for medical reasons.

According to the article, Delmond's former employer told deputies investigating the matter that other clients also complained that items vanished while Delmond cared for them.

"We're very hopeful we're going to do the right thing this weekend for Murray Janoff," said Steve Wolf, United States Harness Writers Association First Vice President. "The feeling is that Mr. Janoff will not go without a ring."

Janoff, a veteran of World War II, who grew up on Long Island, starting writing about horse racing in 1936. In 1947, he and fellow journalist Mike Lee decided to form a writers' association to help control promotion of the sport. In 2008, Janoff was inducted into the association's "Communicators Corner".

(With files from The Palm Beach Post News)