Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION, DIVISION OF PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING
Respondent: ROBERT ROSS
Judges: SUSAN BELYEU KIRKLAND
Agency: Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Locations: Fort Myers, Florida
Filed: Jan. 13, 2010
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Wednesday, February 24, 2010.
Latest Update: Dec. 23, 2024
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Daputy Agency Clerk
Brandon Nichols
9/16/2009
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL REGULATION
DIVISION OF PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS &
PROFESSIONAL REGULATION, DIVISION
OF PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING,
Petitioner,
DBPR CASE NO, 2009035365
v. 2009038126
ROBERT ROSS,
Respondent,
/
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Pari-Mutuel
Wagering ("Division"), files this Administrative Complaint against Robert Ross ("Respondent"),
and alleges as follows:
1, Division is the state agency charged with regulating pari-mutuel wagering,
pursuant to Chapter 550, Florida Statutes.
2. At all times material hereto, Respondent held a pari-mutuel wagering trainer/
Greyhound license, number 1403827-1021, issued by the Division.
3, At all times material hereto, Respondent worked at the Naples - Fort Myers
Greyhound Track facility.
4, Naples = Fort Myers Greyhound Track isa facility operated by a permitholder
authorized to conduct pari-mutue) wagering in this state.
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5. Rule 61D-6,002(1), Florida Administrative Code, provides, "[t}he trainer of
record shall be responsible for and he the absolute insurer of the condition of the... racing
greyhounds he/she enters to race."
6 Section 350.2415(1)(c), Florida Statutes, states “[t]he finding of a prohibited
substance in a race-day specimen constitutes prima facie evidence that the substance was
administered and was carried in the body of the animal while participating in the race.”
7. Dimethy! Sulfoxide is an anti-inflammatory and a Class Five drug under the
Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances, as promulgated by the Association of
Racing Commissioners, Inc.
COUNT I
8. Petitioner realleges and incorporates paragraphs one (1) through seven (7) as if
fully stated herein.
9. At all times material hereto, Respondent was the trainer of record for the
greyhound “GREASY THUMB.”
10. Respondent was the trainer of record and the absolute insurer of the condition ofa
greyhound named “GREASY THUMB” on June 2, 2009.
ll. On June 2, 2009, “GREASY THUMB” was entered ‘in the eleventh race at Naples
— Fort Myers Greyhound Track.
12, Prior to the start of the eleventh race, “GREASY THUMB” was selected for pre-
race testing. “GREASY THUMB” was immediately sent to a Division employee for the taking
of a urine sample,
13, Urine sample number 507548 was collected from “GREASY THUMB” and was
processed in accordance with established procedures and forwarded to the lab for analysis,
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14. The University of Florida Racing Laboratory tested urine sample number 507548,
and found that it contained Dimethyl Sulfoxide, an anti-inflammatory and a Class Five drug, ina
quantity of approximately 300 micrograms per milliliter, These results were issued to the
Division in a report dated July 2, 2009.
COUNT IT
5, Petitioner realleges and incorporates paragraphs one (1) through seven (7) as if
fully stated herein.
6. — At all times material hereto, Respondent was the trainer of record for the
greyhound “KB’S HIGHTOP.”
7. Respondent was the trainer of record and the absolute insurer of the condition of a
greyhound named “KB’S HIGHTOP” on June 14, 2009.
& On June 14,2009, “KB’S HIGHTOP” was entered in the eleventh race at Naples
~ Fort Myers Greyhound Track,
9. Prior to the start of the eleventh race, “KB’S HIGHTOP” was selected for pre-
race testing. “KB’S HIGHTOP” was immediately sent to a Division employee for the taking of
a urine sample,
20. Urine sample number 507978 was collected from “KB’S HIGHTOP” and was
processed in accordance with established procedures and forwarded to the lab for analysis.
@l. The University of Florida Racing Laboratory tested urine sample number 507978,
and found that it contained Dimethyl Sulfoxide, an anti-inflammatory and a Class Five drug,
These results were issued to the Division in a report dated July 17, 2009.
22, Rule 61D-6,011(2), Florida Administrative Code, provides as follows!
/
(2) Pursuant to Rule 6] D-6.002, F.A.C., the trainer of record is the absolute ingurer of the
condition of an animal he or she enters to race, Consequently, when evidence of the presence of
‘
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PAGE
an impermissible substance, or substances, is presented either to the Division or to a panel of
stewards or judges, the division or the stewards or judges, absent aggravating or mitigating
circumstances, must impose on the trainer of record one or more of the following penalties in
accordance with the class of impermissible substance. Provided, however, that any discipline
imposed by the stewards or judges shall not exceed their authority pursuant to Section 550.1155,
FS.
(a) Class I impermissible substances:
1, First violation
2. Any subsequent violation
(b) Class I] impermissible substances:
1. First violation
2. Second violation within 36 months of a
previous violation
3, Third violation within 36 months of a second
violation, or a fourth or any subsequent
violation without regard to the time past since
the third violation
(c) Glass ITT impermissible substances:
1, First violation
2. Sceond violation within 12 months of a
previous violation
3. Third violation within 24 months of'a second
violation, or a fourth or any subsequent
violation without regard to the time past since
the third violation :
(d)} Class IV or V impermissible substances:
1. First violation
2. Second violation in a 12 month period
3. Third or subsequent violation in 4 12 month
period
$500 to $1,000 fine, suspension or
revocation of license;
$1,000 to $3,000 fine, suspension or
revocation of license.
$100 to $1,000 fine, suspension of license
up to 30 days;
$250 to $1,000 fine, suspension or
revocation of license;
$300 to $1,000 fine, suspension or
revocation of license.
$100 to $500 fine;
$250 to $750 fine, suspension of license up
to 30 days;
$500 to $1,000 fine, suspension of license
up to 60 days.
Reprimand, $100 to $250 fine;
$230 to $500 fine;
$500 to $1,000 fine, suspension of license
up to 30 days.
23. Based on the foregoing, Respondent is responsible for a violation of Section
559,2415(1)(a), Florida Statutes, which provides, "[t]he racing of an animal with any drug,
medication, stimulant, depressant, hypnotic, local anesthetic, or drug-masking agent is
prohibited. It is a violation of this section for a person to administer or cause to be administered
any drug, medication, stimulant, depressant, hypnotic, narcotic, local anesthetic, or drug-masking
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agent to an animal which will result in a positive test for such substance based on samples taken
from the animal immediately prior to or immediately after the racing of that animal.”
WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests the Division enter an Order imposing one
or more of the following penalties against the Respondent as specified in Section 550.2415(3)(a),
Florida Statutes and Rule 61D-6.011(2), Florida Administrative Code, including revoke or
suspend the license or permit of the violator or deny a license or permit of the violator; impose a
fine against the violator for each count in an amount not exceeding 35,000; require the full or
partial return of the purse, sweepstakes, and trophy of each race at issue; or impose against the
violator any rembnatny such penalties.
Signed this 2 day of | ptember, 2009. :
HM. HELTON, JR.
tida Bar No, 0879622
Chief Attorney
Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering
Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Northwood Center
1940 North Monroe Street, Suite 40
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2202
é
Copy furnished to:
David N, Perry, Assistant General Counsel
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VE COMPLAINT
ELE n_OF RIGHTS
Licensce: Ross, Robert Case No. 2009035365
2009038126
Thave read the Admitustratrve Complamt and Explanation of Rights im this matter, and elect as follows:
1. () I do not dispute the matertal facts alleged mn the Administrative Complaint but do wish to appear before the
Division of Par-Mutuel Wagering to bo heard on the conclusions of law and the tssue af penalty. I, therefore request a hearing
not involving disputed tssues of matena! fact, pursuant to Seetion 120 57(2), Florida Statutes [understand that at the hearing I
will not be allawed to deny the facts alleged in the Admmustrattve Complaint, but will only be permuted to submit written and/or
oral evidence in titigation of the charges in the Admimstrative Complaint or explain why the facts alleged do not amount to a
violation of law.
2 () I do dispute the matenal facts alleged in the Admmmstrative Complaint and request that this be considered a
petition for a hearing involving disputed issues of maternal fact before an admmunistrative law judge with the Division of
Administrative Hearings, pursuant to Section 120°57(1), Florida Stetufes, If you select this option, please state below which
specific facts you dispute (Use the back of this sheet if needed.)
3 () { waive my night to obyect or be heard concemmng this case. Tho Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering may do
a it secs fit concemmng this matter
Please be advised, purguant te Section 120 573, Florida Stanites, mediation 13 not avatlabte for this type of agency action.
THIS T§ A LEGALLY BINDING DOCUMENT, JF YOU DO NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND THE TERMS OF THIS
DOCUMENT, YOU SHOULD SEEK LEGAL ADVICE BEFORE SIGNING,
MUST BE SIGNED AND NOTARIZED.
Narne (Signature)
Marling Address (if different) Name (Printed)
City State Zp Street Address
Guy State Zip
Respondent's daytime phone number
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF
The foregomg was acknowledged before me this day of , 2009, by.
personally known to me or who haa produced as identification.
Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
(Notary Seal}
PLEASE MAIL FORM TO: MARY POLOMBO, Division Clerk
Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering
Northwood Gentre
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassea, Florida 32399-1035
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STATE OF FLORIDA.
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION
EXPLANATION OF RIGHTS
In response to the allegations set forth in the Administrative Complaint issued by
the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Pari-Mutuel
Wagering, you should make one of the following elections within twenty-one (21) days
from the day of receipt of the Administrative Complaint. Please make your election on
the attached Election of Rights form and return it fully executed to the address listed on
the form. .
1. If you do not dispute any of the material facts alleged in the Administrative
Complaint, you may request a hearing not involving disputed issues of material fact
pursuant to Section 120,57(2), Florida Starutes, before the Division of Pari-Mutuel
Wagering. At the hearing, you will be given an opportunity to present both written and
oral evidence in mitigation. A request for a hearing not involving disputed issues of
material fact in this matter should be directed to the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering by
checking the appropriate space, marked as 1, on the Election of Rights form and retuming
same to this office within twenty-one (21) days of your receipt of the Administrative
Complaint.
2. If the allegations set forth in the Administrative Complaint contain any
disputed issucs of material fact, you may request a hearing involving disputed issues of
material fact with the Division of Administrative Hearings of the Department of
Management Services pursuant to Section 120.57(1), Florida Statutes, by checking the
appropriate space, marked as 2, on the Election of Rights form and returning same to this
office within twenty-one (21) days of your receipt of the Administrative Complaint,
3. Ifyou wish to waive your right to object or be heard in this matter, you may do
so by checking the appropriate space marked as 3, on the Election of Rights form and
returning same to this office within twenty-one (21) days of your receipt of the
Administrative Complaint.
In the event that you fail to make an election in this matter within twenty-one (21)
days from receipt of the Administrative Complaint, your failure may be considered a
waiver of your right to elect the forum, and the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering may
proceed to hear any and all evidence that may be presented to it in disposing of your case,
You must keep the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering informed as to your current
mailing address. Failure to do so may be considered a waiver of your right to'a hearing.
PAGE 22/22
Docket for Case No: 10-000191PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Feb. 24, 2010 |
Order Closing Files. CASE CLOSED.
|
Feb. 23, 2010 |
Agreed/Consented Motion to Close DOAH File in Light of Active Settlement Discussions filed.
|
Jan. 22, 2010 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Jan. 22, 2010 |
Notice of Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for March 9, 2010; 9:00 a.m.; Fort Myers and Tallahassee, FL).
|
Jan. 22, 2010 |
Order of Consolidation (DOAH Case Nos. 10-0191PL, 10-0192PL).
|
Jan. 20, 2010 |
Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
|
Jan. 13, 2010 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Jan. 13, 2010 |
Administrative Complaint Election of Rights filed.
|
Jan. 13, 2010 |
Agency referral filed.
|
Jan. 13, 2010 |
Initial Order.
|