By Sue Finley
T. D. Thornton reports on Anthony Bonomo's leave of absence as chairman of the New York Racing Association Reorganization Board.
Anthony Bonomo's reign as chairman of the New York Racing Association Reorganization Board lasted barely two months.
According to multiple news reports, Bonomo took a leave of absence from the NYRA board Tuesday, just days after his company was revealed to have allegedly provided a “no-show” job to the son of former state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos.
“I do not want to have recent events distract from the ongoing work of NYRA,” Bonomo wrote in a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo that was reprinted in part by the Albany Times Union. “I wish you and NYRA continued success.”
Bonomo's words about not wanting to be a distraction seem at odds with his actions. He is stepping away from the NYRA helm just days before the GI Belmont S. with a Triple Crown bid on the line, and during the same week that New York City is teeming with hundreds of global racing dignitaries who are attending the Pan American Racing Conference.
NYRA President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Kay is scheduled to deliver opening remarks at the Pan Am Conference Thursday. NYRA is a “gold sponsor” of the conference.
Bonomo's absence creates the second void in the last half year for the top slot on the NYRA board. David Skorton, the previous chairman, resigned effective Dec. 31, 2014, having announced months in advance that he would be leaving to head the Smithsonian Institution. The chairmanship sat vacant into early April, when Bonomo was appointed.
According to his NYRA bio, Bonomo, a Brooklyn attorney, is President of Administrators for the Professions, Inc., the insurance company management organization that operates, among others, Physicians' Reciprocal Insurers, a medical professional liability insurer.
The New York Times reported that Monday, Dean Skelos pleaded not guilty in United States District Court to charges that he pressured companies that do business with the state to give his son, Adam, hundreds of thousands of dollars in jobs and commission posts. Both the elder Skelos and his son face six charges of extortion under color of official right, soliciting bribes and gratuities, and conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.
Physicians' Reciprocal Insurers was not named in the indictment and has not been accused of wrongdoing, but the firm has been identified in multiple news reports as having allegedly provided a no-show job.
Bonomo has served as a Trustee of Hofstra University, and founded the GAELS Foundation, which is dedicated to the development of youth through sports. Bonomo and his wife Mary Ellen have owned Thoroughbreds based in New York since 2005, racing primarily under the stable names Brooklyn Boyz Stables and MEB Stables.
According to the Times, vice chairman Michael DelGiudice will assume the responsibilities of the chairman.
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