Chief Stipe Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 RV steward demoted for Laming case breach Racing Victoria has broken its silence over the bungled Richard Laming case. Picture: AAP Gilbert Gardiner3:06PM23 March 2021 Racing Victoria has demoted the senior steward at the centre of its bungled Richard Laming case. The peak body late on Tuesday confirmed former Compliance Assurance Team manager Dion Villella, who gave evidence in the Laming case last month, breached an order from the Victorian Racing Tribunal not to contact other witnesses, or interested parties during an adjournment. News Corp Australia and Racenet earlier on Tuesday revealed RV was poised to break its silence about the “issue” that made prosecuting Laming and his associates “untenable”. An internal RV review confirmed Villella “initiated contact” with steward Mark Stevens, who was also due to give evidence, “on three occasions over three days”. In the first instance, Villella contacted Stevens on February 23 wanting to confirm an aspect of “oral evidence” he had already tendered to the hearing, “specifically asking whether he had influenced the contents of Mr Stevens’ written statement” on the case. On the call, Stevens confirmed Villella had not instructed him what to write in his statement. The review found that Villella made the call from a phone which was not his own and at the end of the call asked Stevens “to remove the call from his call register”. The next day, Villella approached Stevens in the foyer of the VRT to confirm the phone conversation. Stevens alerted RV’s counsel about the conversations with Villella. The move triggered a series of events that would ultimately result in charges against Laming and stable employees Marnu Potgieter and MD Zeyaur Rahman being withdrawn. The charges related to the alleged or attempted stomach tubing of a horse, Jamaican Rain, which was engaged to run in the Group 3 Jim Beam Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on November 5, 2019. RV’s statement comes after the Victorian Racing Integrity Board and Racing Integrity Commissioner last Wednesday ordered the peak body to provide a “full and public explanation”. Villella will begin in a revised role of Raceday Stipendiary Steward after a period of leave. His “strong record” over more than 25 years of employment was taken into account when RV considered “appropriate action”. He must undergo additional “education and training”, which will be extended to all relevant staff. RV on Tuesday acknowledged Stevens’ role in bringing this matter to light and “thank him for upholding the high standard of integrity expected” of ISD team members. Racing Integrity Commissioner Sean Carroll’s own examination of Villella’s conduct will continue, with RV to co-operate fully. Trainer Richard Laming had charges against him withdrawn in February. Picture: AAP This development came after Racing Victoria set up another battle with Laming after appealing the trainer’s three-month ban on a separate cobalt-related charge. The Victorian Racing Tribunal suspended Laming for three months after the trainer pleaded guilty to presenting Iam Ekstraordinary to the races with an elevated cobalt level. Laming was found not guilty of administering the substance to Iam Ekstraordinary, which contested a 1200m Ballarat maiden on May 23, 2018, after it was established a stable employee gave the horse a vitamin injection in error, which led to the elevated reading. Laming immediately appealed the severity of the penalty but Racing Victoria says the Victorian Racing Tribunal was too lenient with the trainer, taking the case to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. “Mr Laming lodged an appeal with VCAT against the severity of a three-month suspension handed to him by the Victorian Racing Tribunal last month after he pleaded guilty to presenting a horse to race with cobalt above the permitted threshold,” a Racing Victoria spokesman said. “On the basis that the stewards requested a penalty of 10 months disqualification before the Victorian Racing Tribunal for that offence, they have lodged a counter-appeal so that VCAT considers the position of both parties in making its decision as to an appropriate penalty.” Racing Victoria’s move is the latest legal stoush between the governing body and Laming. RV has taken a public hammering in the wake of the sensational collapse of its stomach tubing case against Laming last month. – with Brad Waters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy connolly Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 Is this guy the progeny of Bevan Laming, can't see any resemblance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted April 13, 2021 Author Share Posted April 13, 2021 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Beau Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 On 24/03/2021 at 9:17 PM, billy connolly said: Is this guy the progeny of Bevan Laming, can't see any resemblance? He is and because of that, I wont be getting you to pick out my next year's yearlings for me! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Youngest colt foal of Slammer ( senior ) but from a different dam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted April 15, 2021 Author Share Posted April 15, 2021 The Racing Integrity Commissioner has called on Stewards to provide evidence at an own motion inquiry next week. Photo: George Salpigtidis INDUSTRY Laming stewards ordered to give evidence over bungled case Article Author Gilbert Gardiner 4:15PM15 April 2021 0 Comments Racing Victoria Stewards involved in the bungled Richard Laming case will give evidence in a three-day hearing next week. The Herald Sun has established the Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner has launched an “own motion inquiry” into RV’s failure to prosecute the high-profile integrity matter. Up to 10 people, including RV employees and members of the Victorian Racing Tribunal, received a notice from Commissioner Sean Carroll this week to attend and give evidence behind closed doors. Under the Racing Act 1958, the Commissioner has the power to summons persons or documents, administer an oath and examine a person under oath. Persons that fail to comply with these requirements could be penalised under the Act. It is understood phone records will form part of the inquiry. Carroll signalled an own motion inquiry last month. Evidence to be heard next week will not be made public. RV last month demoted the senior steward at the centre of the Laming case. RV confirmed former Compliance Assurance Team manager Dion Villella, who gave evidence to the VRT, breached an order not to contact witnesses, or interested parties during an adjournment. An internal RV review uncovered Villella “initiated contact” with steward Mark Stevens, who was also due to give evidence, “on three occasions over three days”. Carroll would not be drawn on the matter on Thursday, but confirmed his preliminary report and recommendations, to be delivered by the end of April, remains on track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Racing Integrity Commissioner has called on Stewards to provide evidence at an own motion inquiry next week. Photo: George Salpigtidis INDUSTRY Laming stewards ordered to give evidence over bungled case Article Author Gilbert Gardiner 4:15PM15 April 2021 0 Comments Racing Victoria Stewards involved in the bungled Richard Laming case will give evidence in a three-day hearing next week. The Herald Sun has established the Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner has launched an “own motion inquiry” into RV’s failure to prosecute the high-profile integrity matter. Up to 10 people, including RV employees and members of the Victorian Racing Tribunal, received a notice from Commissioner Sean Carroll this week to attend and give evidence behind closed doors. Under the Racing Act 1958, the Commissioner has the power to summons persons or documents, administer an oath and examine a person under oath. Persons that fail to comply with these requirements could be penalised under the Act. It is understood phone records will form part of the inquiry. Carroll signalled an own motion inquiry last month. Evidence to be heard next week will not be made public. RV last month demoted the senior steward at the centre of the Laming case. RV confirmed former Compliance Assurance Team manager Dion Villella, who gave evidence to the VRT, breached an order not to contact witnesses, or interested parties during an adjournment. An internal RV review uncovered Villella “initiated contact” with steward Mark Stevens, who was also due to give evidence, “on three occasions over three days”. Carroll would not be drawn on the matter on Thursday, but confirmed his preliminary report and recommendations, to be delivered by the end of April, remains on track.
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