Ernie Paragallo, the New York horse owner and breeder who was convicted of 33 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, was released from jail June 17 after posting bail. According to the Albany Times-Union, Paragallo, 52, was released from the Greene County Correctional Facility after filing an appeal of his sentence of two years in jail and $33,000 fine.
Paragallo had been in jail since his May 18 sentencing in connection with the animal cruelty case that stemmed from a raid on his Center Brook Farm.
The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has scheduled a June 24 hearing to decide what action to take against the breeder and owner, according to the Times-Union.
The board could ban Paragallo from all New York Thoroughbred tracks and fine him up to $5,000 for each charge, the newspaper reported.
According to the Times-Union, NYSRWB chairman John Sabini said the regulatory body is looking back at the 1,600 starts Paragallo’s horses had in New York racing and investigating if he knowingly raced horses whose owners weren’t all properly licensed. They are also investigating to see if he concealed his role as an actual owner of numerous horses that participated in races.
