This letter is in response to Claire Bessette’s article, “Appeals in CMEEC Kentucky Derby case to be heard in New York,” laying out the excursion of CMEEC from a $2 million fraud case to a multimillion dollar extravaganza. With the duration from approximately 2016 to 2024, and still no conclusion in sight, one has to ask, ‘How come?’ The basic facts have been decided. No criticism of the court’s decision, but why so long? Why so costly? Was COVID the culprit? How many chief prosecutors left the office? What was the impact of attorney fees being paid by the victim? Why was the issue as to fees not resolved by the court instead of by agreement?

As a lawyer, I am not a critic of the court’s decision on the facts, but where does the responsibility lie for the injustice to victims and even the alleged felons for the delay? Why did prosecutors withdraw a pleading after the trial began? Are we entitled to some explanation? No one returns calls. Why did two alleged felons walk when they were right in the middle? What’s it all about or is it just what it is?

Martin Rutchik

Mystic