RULING NUMBER COM TB 010/2008
COMMISSION HEARING TORONTO, ONTARIO – NOVEMBER 18, 2008
IN THE MATTER OF THE RACING COMMISSION ACT S.O. 2000, c.20;
AND IN THE MATTER IN THE APPEAL OF
THOROUGHBRED LICENSEE TERRY VELTRI
Thoroughbred licensee Terry Veltri was served with a Notice of Proposed Order by the Director to refuse a licence to Mr. Veltri and prohibit him from applying to the Director for a licence until at least two years have passed since the refusal of the licence. Terry Veltri requested a hearing before the Commission.
On November 18, 2008, a Panel of the Commission consisting of Chairman Rod Seiling and Commissioners David Gorman and Pam Frostad convened to hear the motion for a stay. Terry Veltri was unrepresented and Owen Rees represented the Administration.
On reading the Notice of Motion, the Factum of the Administration, the exhibits filed, and on hearing the agreed statement of facts and the submissions of both parties, the Commission ruled:
Mr. Veltri is refused a licence.
Mr. Veltri will be eligible to apply for a licence on March 1, 2010.
If Mr. Veltri chooses to re-apply at that time, he must satisfy the Director that:
a. he has kept the peace and has been of good behavior from June 1, 2008 until March 1, 2010;
b. he must provide evidence he has successfully completed a substance abuse program; and
c. he must provide evidence that he is enrolled in a recognized support program.
If Mr. Veltri is licensed, he will be on probation for two years. If he violates any Rules of Racing, he will be subject to a Notice of Proposed order immediately.
If Mr. Veltri is licensed, he will be subject to search and testing procedures, as the Administration will see fit to impose.
DATED in Toronto this 26th day of November 2008.
BY ORDER OF THE COMMISSION
John L. Blakney
Executive Director
REASONS FOR DECISION
After carefully reviewing the evidence, the testimony and the submissions, the Panel denies the appeal.
Mr. Veltri has a problem as per the agreed statement of facts and has not provided any evidence that he is prepared to face that problem head-on and seek out professional help.
The Panel agrees with the Director that there are reasonable grounds that Mr. Veltri will not act in accordance with the law or with integrity, honesty or in the public interest as per his history. In his June 5, 2008 appeal, Mr. Veltri stated he would bring his drug certificate program with him. No documentation of any account including his probation order was provided.
The Commission has a duty to protect the safety of all licensees, horses and the public interest. Providing Mr. Veltri the privilege of a licence at this time would not be in the best interest of the industry or quite frankly, Mr. Veltri. He needs professional counseling.
Mr. Veltri will be eligible to apply for an ORC licence in March of 2010. If he chooses to re-apply at that time, he must satisfy the Director that:
a) he has kept the peace and has been of good behaviour from June 2008 to March 2010;
b) he must provide evidence he has successfully completed a substance abuse program;
c) he must provide evidence that he is enrolled in a recognized support program.
If he is licensed, he will be on probation for two years. If he violates any rules of racing he will be subject to a Notice of Proposed Order immediately;
Mr. Veltri, if licensed, will be subject to search and testing procedures, as the Administration will see fit to impose.
DATED this 26th day of November 2008.
Rod Seiling
Chair