Jockey club seeks RCMP probe of Manitoba finance minister

The Manitoba Jockey Club has launched a complaint against provincialFinance Minister Stan Struthers and the CEO of the Red River Exihibition Association.

The club, which owns Assiniboia Downs horse racing track, accuses the minister and others of breach of trust and fraud. Theformal complaint and a request for investigation has been filed with the Attorney General of Canada andRCMP.

It's related toRed River Ex's plan to acquire the race track.

The MJC claims the Red River Ex is attempting to buy the track for below market price. Itclaims the Red River Ex used confidential, priviledged cabinet information in its bid, including information that the province may cut funding to the track in the next budget.

The club has been granted judicial review hearing in Queens Benchon April 26.

In response, the province released the followingstatement on Wednesday:

"The accusations being made by the Manitoba Jockey Club are false and without merit. They are being made as part of a campaign to hang on to $9.5 million in public subsidies.

"We understand that the MJC is disappointed with the governments intentions but we have a duty to spend public funds responsibly.

"The budget will be delivered on April 16th as planned."