A lawsuit seeking the removal of seven board members of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association has been set for trial.
A court petition filed in September by board president Robert Hutt and John Julia, a board member, alleged financial improprieties and self-dealing among prior leadership of the PTHA, particularly former president Sal DeBunda, who left office in 2022 after being defeated in an election by Hutt. It seeks the ouster of Jeffrey Matty Jr., Kathleen DeMasi, Charles Asensio, Jack Armstrong, Scott Lake, Robert Reid Jr., and John Servis. DeBunda is not named as a defendant.
Early in the litigation, the defendants were ordered to "show cause" why they should not be removed from the board. Following the filing of a response to the suit asking the petition to be dismissed, the judge did not remove any board members or dismiss the suit against them. Instead, depositions were scheduled and the dispute was set for jury trial July 7. Juries ordinarily only decide factual issues.
On March 27 an amended response to the petition once again asked for a summary dismissal of the case. It alleges, among other things, that the lawsuit is based on mere differences of opinion, describes issues that have never been put to a vote of the board, and is deficient as a matter of law.
