A former New York Racing Association employee claims she was pressured to issue work credentials for dozens of illegal immigrants employed at the racetracks, and was forced out after refusing to break the law.
Long Islander Patricia Cerda, 43, alleges she was repeatedly asked to verify “legally deficient” or forged paperwork for undocumented workers brought in by horse trainers, owners, vendors and cleaners, so that the workers could be given NYRA ID badges allowing them access to secure areas.
Cerda, who wouldn’t approve the shoddy paperwork, claims in a Brooklyn federal lawsuit that there are 60 to 100 illegal aliens working at state racetracks. The married mother of two contends she had no choice but to leave her job of 20 years after her bosses ignored her many complaints.
“The betting public has a right to a fair game,” said Cerda’s lawyer, John Russo. “NYRA’s business is running races and taking bets on those races. If you let just anyone walk around behind the tables in a casino, would you have any confidence that the games were straight?”
The beleaguered NYRA has been under federal monitoring since a 2003 charge of income-tax evasion.
The NYRA declined to comment on the pending litigation.
