FINANCIAL CRIME & FRAUD IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY

Written & Contributed By:  Monte Friesner - Financial Crime Analyst For Wanted SA

Fraud is a rampant problem in the horse industry, especially in Show Horses, Dressage, Show Jumping and becoming more frequent, revealing and sustaining malicious, even criminal people into this sport

In the United States between 1970 and 1990 it is estimated that approximately 100 horses were killed for insurance claims and in Canada about 60.

- 1994, Rhode Island, horse trainer Paul Valliere, admitted to also using Burns' services. 
- Paul hired Burns to electrocute his show horse, Roseau Platiere, and claimed the $75,000 insurance policy.
- After being arrested, Paul agreed to wear a wire to reduce his sentence. 
- In 1996, Paul was sentenced to four years probation, fined $5,000, and permanently barred from participation in any equestrian events in the country.

FBI were led to another guilty Rhode Island trainer in New York, Barney Ward. 
- Ward was a renown horsemen, respected and adored on the show circuit. Often seen with his son, McLain Ward, who is an Olympic show jumper. 

- Ward confessed to hiring Tommy Burns for the slaughter of fifteen of his/his client's horses. 
- Ward confessed to aiding in the deaths of four horses between 1987-1990; Charisma, Condino, 

Rub the Lamp, and Roseau Platiere. 
- Ward also confessed to threatening Burns if he exposed him or implicated any of his associates in these crimes. 
- Ward was sentenced to thirty three months in jail, three years of probation, and also a $200,000 restitution to the insurance companies. Ward was also banned from any equestrian events in the US.

The Killer; Tommy Burns
- Tommy Burns aka "The Sandman" because "he put horses to sleep"
- Burns would electrocute the horses at night, therefore when the barn staff came in the morning, the horses appeared to have died in their sleep. 
- He made quite a business out of himself, at horse shows he discreetly offered his services 
- Tommy's fee was 10% of the insurance policy of the horse, which was usually between $5,000 to $40,000.
  
- He continued to use the electrocuting method he learned from Druck
Fraud
- Fraud or acts of a fraudulent manner can be defined as "any wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain." 

This in only one of articles we will be printing and we will be exposing major Financial Fraud in Canada of selling doped and crippled horses by well known trainers and breeders. Do you have a story in exposing the abuse of show horses; let us know at
                                                legal@wantedsa.com