Susan Bala, founder and owner of Racing Services Inc. in North Dakota, has been removed from the company's day-to-day operations at the request of state attorney general Wayne Stenehjem.A court-appointed receiver, which has managed Racing Services since August after the company fell $6.5 million behind in state taxes, removed Bala Nov. 7, the Fargo Forum reports. Stenehjem said the change came because of "complaints that she's a disruption to the ongoing operation, complaints from employees."I discussed with the receiver her involvement and suggested to him this might be a good time for her involvement to cease," Stenehjem said. "Two weeks ago, I said 'Put together a plan to ease her out. Make arrangements.' I followed up with him this week and he said, 'I've done that.'"
Stenehjem added the receiver, Wayne Drewes, can still consult with Bala. Racing Services, which is seeking renewal of its simulcasting license for 2004, has been under state and federal investigation since last spring. Another company, Lien Games, has also applied for a license. The North Dakota Racing Commission will decide in December which company gets the license.