The State Investigation Commission -- suddenly a newsmaker the last couple of days!! -- has issued a report lashing NYRA for hiring Getnick & Getnick as its "business integrity counsel" at $125,000 a month.
It says the hiring should have been bid and violated the state Breeder's Law, but "neither the State’s Racing and Wagering Board nor the New York Non-profit Racing Association Oversight Board (Oversight Board) has the authority to prevent NYRA from violating the Breeder’s Law or certain other statutes."
The law firm had been variously criticized for paving the way for NYRA to emerge from federal monitorship, and for helping garner the support of Gov. Spitzer for a long-term franchise extension.
You can read the report here.