Editor’s Note: The following is a statement from Joe Faraldo, Chairman of the Board, the United States Trotting Association

Please allow me to set the record straight regarding a story that originally appeared in the Thoroughbred Daily News entitled “Two Years After Indictments, Where Are They Now”? That piece addressed, among other things, the indictment status of harness trainers Nick Surick and Chris Marino, and leaves the reader with a completely wrong impression. The United States Trotting Association, which has been criticized for deliberately not reporting on these cases, posted a link to the article from the USTA website.

First, the two named individuals were indeed included in the original indictments. In all likelihood, each either made some cooperating deal or simply have indicated that they will plead to those indictments.

When the superseding indictments were later filed, the two individuals need not have been included therein. That does not mean that they are not still under the original indictment, and Court records still show that to be a fact. Those reporting entities seem to have this all wrong, and an incorrect assumption is being made. Lawyers admitted to the Federal bar can check the court records to verify that no dismissal of the original indictments has been filed.

Joe Faraldo, Chairman of the Board, the United States Trotting Association