NEW ORLEANS - Orleans Criminal Clerk of Court Arthur Morrell is also a horse owner, now making some serious allegations against the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.
His charges come in the form of a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization complaint, or RICO lawsuit, filed Friday in Federal Court in New Orleans.
Morrell claims a whistle-blower came forward with evidence that the 2008 election where he lost his seat on the association's board of directors was "rigged."
"She came forward and said that yes, she was one of those who helped rig the election," said Morrell. They had additional ballots made and they sat down and they filled out the ballots for those people that the president wanted to be on the board."
Morrell's lawsuit makes even stronger claims about LHBPA President Sean Alfortish, a sitting magistrate judge in Kenner.
He says Alfortish and others misspent $1.4 million in Hurricane Katrina relief funds and money from a video poker settlement that was supposed to go to the horsemen.
"I've seen receipts where there was clothes bought, liquor bought, trips taken, amounting to tens of thousands of dollars," said Morrell.
The Louisiana Legislature created the LHBPA to distribute the winning purses at the state's four racetracks. It also provides benefits such as pension funds and insurance to more than 6000 workers in the racing industry.
Morrell already has a law suit pending in state court.
His attorney Madros Banderies says the RICO lawsuit in federal court cuts to the chase and could result in criminal charges against Alfortish and others.
"There are allegations that mail fraud took place," said Bandaries. "There are allegations that the federal government is looking into, that monies were misspent."
Alfortish's attorney Colin Sherman told Eyewitness News that he just received a copy of the lawsuit and was not prepared to comment the particular allegations.
He says the statement he gave after a November hearing on Morrell's earlier lawsuit in Civil District Court still stands.
Sherman said, "Without commenting on the particulars all we can say is we look forward to the full resolution in a court of law."
A source with the Horsemen's Association released a statement saying the suit has just been filed and is still under review.
"As of this point in time, it looks very much like the same allegations that have been made before in one or more court hearings where the claims were rejected," he said. "Nonetheless, the HBPA will continue to monitor this suit."
