Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen has been sued by the Department of Labor for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 for allegedly underpaying over 100 grooms and hotwalkers in New York. The story was first reported by Blood-Horse.
According to a civil complaint filed June 7 in the Eastern District of New York, Asmussen and his KDE Equine LLC failed to pay overtime and keep adequate and accurate records. Labor Secretary Alex Acosta is “seeking back wages, liquidated damages, and other relief for employees who care for and assist training Thoroughbred horses” at Asmussen's stables at the three New York Racing Association tracks. Asmussen had previously been sued for similar complaints by the Department of Labor twice and settled both cases.
The news comes on the heels of trainer Chad Brown being hit with over $1 million in fines for federal labor violations.
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