| Following is a news report from
HorseSport USA that is distributed by Phelps Media Group International
by special arrangement. PMG cannot guarantee the accuracy of the material. Las
Vegas District Attorney Ready to Handle World Invitational Bounced Checks Charges 
By
Kenneth J. Braddick-HorseSport USA The District Attorney for Las
Vegas is prepared to deal with complaints from show jumping riders, officials
and others whose checks from the $1 million World Invitational bounced.
The Las Vegas World Invitational in mid-October has resulted in checks issued
to most riders and officials bouncing or the recipients advised not to cash them
as no funds were available. Promises by David R. Shriner, chairman and
chief executive officer, and Fairlie Arrow, executive in charge of production
for Equus Entertainment that staged the event, to honor an estimated $1 million
in outstanding obligations have not been met. Failure to meet financial obligations
has already led to cancelation by CBS Television of a 90-minute telecast that
had been scheduled for New Year's Eve. Bernie Zadrowski, chief of
the bounced check unit for the Clark County (Las Vegas) District Attorney's office,
told HorseSport USA that if complaints are filed by riders and others -- no matter
where they live -- whose checks bounced arrest warrants will be sought against
the issuer of the checks. The LVWI Grand Prix with a total purse of $750,000
was won by Rodrigo Pessoa. Other riders in the event included Meredith
Michaels Beerbaum, originally from Encino, Calif. who is now Germany’s
top rider, Georgina Bloomberg, of New York, a 2005 Budweiser World Cup
finalist, 2004 U.S. Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward and Laura
Kraut, who was on seven of eight 2005 U.S. Samsung Super League championship
teams. Zadrowski explained that in Nevada bouncing a check is not
only a felony in its own right but can lead to other charges such as theft and
obtaining services under false pretenses, which are also felonies and carry prison
sentences. In the case of a non-U.S. citizen, which could apply to Fairlie
Arrow who moved to the United States from her native Australia after being
convicted of staging her own abduction for publicity purposes, conviction could
lead to deportation. Zadrowski said that arrangements have been
set up within the unit's system to advise LVWI complainants how to proceed. Shriner
said that as a result of "dysfunctional" office management checks
were issued from three separate checking accounts Any person whose check
from Equus Entertainment/Las Vegas World Invitational can telephone the bounced
check unit on 702-671-4701. Las Vegas is in the U.S. Pacific time zone, three
hoursbehind New York. The unit will explain how to proceed and send to
the complainant a package setting out the process by which a complainant should
send by certified mail a letter to the party that issued the check demanding payment
within 10 days. If payment is not received within 10 days, the check that
bounced and contains the bank's stamp specifying "N.S.F." -- Not Sufficient
Funds -- or similar inscription should be sent with the certified mail receipt
to the bounced check unit. If riders and others whose checks bounced follow
the procedure, Zadrowski said, his unit will aggressively pursue payment and,
if unsuccessful, seek arrest warrants. Photo at right above: Rodrigo
Pessoa on Baloubet de Rouet. Photo: Ken Braddick-HorseSport USA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Editor's
Note: Horse & Hound's web site states on December 9th, that Rodrigo Pessoa,
the winner, is suing on behalf of all the riders, including Great Britain's Nick
Skelton, who is owed $185,000 for second place, and Michael Whittaker, who is
owed $120,000. | 