The Greyhound Racing Association of America filed a complaint in January with the Massachusetts Attorney General complaining about how a group that receives a state grant related to greyhound racing dispenses that money.
In 2002 the Massachusetts legislature created a special fund to give grants to groups that encourage the adoption of greyhounds after they are no longer used for racing. The fund was created as part of a bill that expanded simulcasting of races on Massachusetts four greyhound racing tracks.
The Greyhound Racing Association of America charges that rather than giving the money to groups promoting adoption, the Greyhound Care and Adoption Council is instead giving the money to groups actively opposed to greyhound racing.
Greyhound Racing Association of America president Ron Hevener told The Taunton Gazette that two-thirds of the money dispensed by Massachusetts Greyhound Care goes to “anti-racing” groups. According to Hevener,
It is a blatant conflict of interest and misappropriation of funds, as well as possible collusion and conspiracy to commit fraud.
Diane Baedeker, a spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture, which administers the fund on behalf of the Greyhound Care and Adoption Council, told the Taunton Gazette, “We’re confident that we followed all proper procedures.”
Source:
Greyhound Association cries foul over grant allocation. Susan Weinstein, Taunton Gazette, January 19, 2003.