Derby winner's owner has ties to Alaska bribery scandal

[kentuck]

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/67394.html

<snip>

ANCHORAGE — If it weren't for the plea deal that his dad, former Veco chief executive Bill Allen, made with federal prosecutors, Mark Allen might not have been in the winner's circle Saturday at the Kentucky Derby, celebrating the victory of his thoroughbred Mine That Bird and a $2 million purse.

Bill Allen, in pleading guilty in 2007 to three counts related to his central role in the Alaska public corruption scandal, won immunity from federal criminal charges for Mark Allen.

Mine That Bird, a 50-to-1 long-shot, stunned the racing world when he came from behind and won the Derby, America's premier thoroughbred event. Mark Allen's Double Eagle Ranch of Roswell, N.M., along with a neighbor, Leonard Blach, purchased the gelding last year. The racing Web site BloodHorse.com said they paid $400,000 after the horse had initially sold for $9,500 as a yearling.

While prosecutors haven't said whether they could have charged Mark Allen, Bill Allen himself has testified that his son paid off a state legislator. A felony conviction against Mark Allen would have led to revocation of his license as a racehorse owner in New Mexico, racing officials there said.

...........more

[niyad]

1. I wonder why more hasn't been made about this, even with KO and Rachel.

I certainly won't hold my breath about the msm saying anything.

[Stevenmarc]

2. So moving fast runs in the family

[XOKCowboy]

3. Mudflats had an post on this a couple of days ago...

http://www.themudflats.net/2009/05/03/black-hat-mint-julep-piles-of-cash-and-karmic-imbalance-alaska-meets-kentucky/