Former California Horse Racing Board chairman Richard Shapiro is under investigation for allegedly keying the car of vocal critic Jerry Jamgotchian, according to a published report.
Jamgotchian, who has aggressively criticized many CHRB actions in recent years, claims the incident took place April 24 at Hollywood Park following the authority’s monthly board meeting, according to an article by the Los Angeles Times. Jamgotchian told the paper the incident was captured on videotape and that local law authorities are investigating potential criminal charges against Shapiro, who resigned his chairman’s post last December.
The Times article said the investigation was confirmed by the Inglewood (Calif.) Police Department, but included no comments from affiliated officials.
Additionally, Jamgotchian filed a formal complaint with the CHRB seeking to have Shapiro’s owner’s license revoked and have him barred from California tracks. CHRB executive director Kirk Breed told the paper that the board would vote on the license revocation if Shapiro was convicted.
It is believed that damage estimates approached $7,000 for repair of Jamgotchian’s car, which was described in the article as a 2007 Jaguar XJS.
Shapiro, who is now working as a consultant with the California Horse Racing Alliance advocacy group, could not be reached for comment by the paper.
But when contacted May 12 by The Blood-Horse, he said, "I've got no comment on this. Jamgotchian is Jamgotchian and I have hired an attorney and I will let him handle it." He also said he has not been questioned by any law enforcement agency about the alleged incident.