Raceway Park sale put on hold
SPOKANE -- The legal saga of Spokane Raceway Park continues as Spokane County's purchase of the park has been put on hold once again.
The postponement comes as Spokane Judge Robert Austin recused himself from overseeing the approval of the sale Thursday morning. Austin was asked by a Seattle attorney to step aside from the case because he attended the park's April auction.
Judge Austin felt attending the auction was an extension of court proceedings however the attorney, who represents three of the more than 100 shareholders of Spokane Raceway Park, said the attendance gave the appearance of impropriety and created a conflict of interest.
It was widely believed that the sale would be finalized during Thursday morning's proceedings, however Austin wanted to move ahead with the sale carefully, and said an independent party will now be brought in as an arbiter.
Essentially admitting to no wrongdoing, Judge Austin refused to remove himself entirely from the proceedings but said he would step aside from the process of approving the sale of Raceway Park to Spokane County.
It was not immediately clear when the agreed upon judge, attorney or other independant overseer - dubbed a "special master" -would be appointed and the sale reevaluated.
Last edited on Thursday Jun 19th, 2008 09:48 PM by JayG
____________________
Mud Slingers and Dirt Flingers are my only friends.
http://www.pleasantvalleyraceway.com
|
