Louisiana Ethics Board Approves Racing Commission Director's Horse Ownership
The organization said that Stephen Landry could not legally renew his ownership license while working for the commission
Nov 6, 2024
Five months after an op/ed published here in the Paulick Report raised conflict of interest questions about the Louisiana State Racing Commission executive director's horse ownership, a state ethics board has ok'd it.
The Louisiana Illuminator first reported the decision by the Louisiana Ethics Board, which reviewed available state law on the question at the request of an attorney for Stephen Landry. Landry took over the role of executive director earlier this year, and as reported here, has partial ownership in several racehorses, which have run in his jurisdiction since he took the job. Landry has owned horses in partnership with other owners and at least one trainer in the state, where he is charged with overseeing licensing and the enforcement of racing regulations.
The ethics board found existing state law does not specifically prohibit Landry from owning horses while in his current position. It likely does prohibit him from making a license application (including a renewal) while he works for the organization.
The Louisiana Illuminator reports that Landry's current owner's license is good through 2026.
Read more at the Louisiana Illuminator