British Columbia Inspector Charged With Falsifying Docs

Darren Scott Young, formerly a British Columbia Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch inspector at Hastings Racecourse, is scheduled to appear in Vancouver provincial court May 26 on charges of accepting bribes and breach of trust, according to CBC news report.

The CBC story noted that according to court documents, Young is suspected of clearing the way for 30 Mexican nationals without valid work permits to secure employment as grooms for Canadian horse trainers. He is accused of falsifying information on registration and licensing documents and substituting names and photos of illegal workers onto existing horse racing licenses to allow them backstretch access.

Foreign nationals must submit proof of authorization for employment in Canada.

According to the CBC story, Young is alleged to have received monetary payments to facilitate the fraudulent issuance of horse racing licenses. Ten British Columbia horse trainers were identified as employing Mexican nationals without proper immigration authorization.

According to court documents, Young is accused of accepting benefits in amounts ranging between $693 and $1,390 from companies and people.

The charges appear related to an investigation into corruption that British Columbia attorney general David Eby referenced in public comments in 2019.

The North American racing industry often utilizes foreign workers to fill backstretch employment needs. In the U.S., legitimate employment is secured via the H-2B visa program that provides temporary employment when domestic workers are unavailable or in short supply.