Edited press release
As part of the preparation to administer the Anti-Doping and Drug Control (ADMC) Program of the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety (HISA) Agency, the Equestrian Integrity and Welfare Unit (HISA) HIWU) is building a robust investigative unit to manage this fundamental component of the Program.
The investigative unit will be led by Shawn Loehr and Naushaun “Shaun” Richards, who will be guided by their decades of investigative and law enforcement experience to help ensure the success of the ADMC program. united, the first nation of Thoroughbred racing.
Richards joined HIWU after 23 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Most recently, he was a surveillance agent in the FBI’s Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force. Richards initiated and directed a highly publicized criminal investigation into the mislabeling of popular drugs, racing drug use and international money laundering, which ultimately led to the indictment of Richards. more than 30 individuals, including coaches Jorge Navarro and Jason Servis.
As HIWU’s director of intelligence and strategy, Richards will focus on long-range investigations, which will rely heavily on real-time intelligence, strategy, sophisticated investigative techniques, and analysis. analyze data to identify and prosecute possible serious violations of the ADMC Program. He will liaise with federal, state, and local law enforcement as it relates to possible criminal violations.
Loehr, HIWU’s director of investigative operations, joined HIWU after 27 years of distinguished work in law enforcement in California. Loehr most recently spent nearly four years as director of enforcement and licensing for the California Horse Racing Board, where he managed all licensing and investigation staff. Loehr has also served as chief investigator for the Sacramento County Department of Human Services, the district attorney’s investigator for Sacramento County, and a police officer in Redding, CA.
As executive director of investigative operations, Loehr will oversee investigators stationed at roads across the country. In states that have entered into voluntary agreements with HIWU, existing state investigators may be used. In states that choose not to sign voluntary agreements, HIWU is contracting with independent investigators to work on specific routes under Loehr’s leadership. Loehr is also responsible for developing standardized investigative protocols for Controlled Drugs and Anti-Doping Code Violations, as well as other related investigative processes.
Loehr and Richards will be supported by one full-time data scientist/analyst and one investigative analyst, in addition to other investigative staff. Gunter Younger, member of the HIWU Advisory Council and director of intelligence and investigations at the World Anti-Doping Agency, will also play an active role and support all HIWU investigations. Relevant intelligence will be shared with HISA Track Safety Program directors and vice versa, as appropriate.
To enhance investigative efforts, HIWU will provide an anonymous whistleblower platform through which individuals can submit tips in English or Spanish regarding possible violations against with the ADMC Program after the rules go into effect. The system will accept submissions via email, phone, text message and WhatsApp and is managed by Richards’ team to ensure that all tips are handled appropriately and securely. Examples of reportable violations to the ADMC Program include, but are not limited to, the administration or use of a prohibited substance or method, trafficking, interference with sample collection, and complicity in violations. violate ADMC rules. HIWU will circulate relevant contact information for tips when available.
Later this month, the HIWU investigative team will attend the Organization of Racing Investigators’ Annual Training Conference in Tucson, Arizona, where they will present their operations and how they plan to work with the team. states to effectively administer the ADMC Program.
“HIWU understands that a strong investigative arm is essential for the ADMC program to be effective, and we are extremely excited to have Shawn and Shaun lead our efforts,” said Ben Mosier, chief executive officer of HIWU. we are in this field. “Due to the work of our investigative team, Thoroughbred industry stakeholders can expect to compete under a program that facilitates a level playing field while penalizing those who do not comply with the rules. rules and threaten the safety and welfare of our horse athletes and people.
“I am honored to be able to use my experience at the World Anti-Doping Agency to help contribute to the success of the HIWU investigation team and promote the integrity of Purebred racing,” Younger said. “We recognize the importance of whistleblowers in alerting us to potential breaches, and industry members can rest assured that information can be securely shared with us through secure platform.”
HIWU anticipates that it will begin enforcement of the ADMC Program on March 27, 2023, pending approval of the ADMC rules submitted to the Federal Trade Commission in December and published in the Agency. Federal Register on January 26.
