Officials file brief supporting Bedford Downs

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners and Mahoning Township supervisors have filed a court brief in support of the proposed Bedford Downs racetrack.
Bedford Downs is seeking the state's last harness racing license. It was denied the license last year by the state harness racing commission and has appealed the denial to Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.
Tuesday was the last day court briefs could be filed in the matter.
Atty. Tom Leslie, solicitor for both Mahoning Township and Lawrence County, argued in his brief that the record created by the harness racing commission does not support the findings on which the commission based its decision. Part of the commission's decision was based on the belief that the deceased grandfather of applicant Carmen Shick, a Bedford Downs principal, loaned money to organized crime figures nearly 20 years ago.
The court papers ask the court to reverse the commission's decision and give Bedford the license.