Federal authorities investigating the business dealings of Joseph L. Bruno, the majority leader of the State Senate, have been examining records related to his purchases and sales of thoroughbred horses.
One series of transactions being scrutinized was between Mr. Bruno, the state’s top Republican, and Earle I. Mack, a real estate developer and former ambassador to Finland.
Citing documents and an interview with Mr. Mack’s lawyer, The Times Union of Albany reported yesterday that Mr. Bruno bought two mares from Mr. Mack in 2005 for $50,000, and that after spending $74,000 to breed them with stud horses, he sold three of their foals at auction for $425,000. Mr. Mack bought one of the foals for $105,000, the newspaper reported.
Mr. Mack once served on the board of the New York Racing Association as a Bruno appointee. The association oversees thoroughbred racetracks at Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct and is bidding to keep the franchise, which expires at the end of the year.
Mr. Mack has been a prominent Republican donor for state and national campaigns. In New York, he gained attention in 2003 after he flew Gov. George E. Pataki and his wife to a vacation on the Caribbean island of St. Barts on his private jet.
If any of that sounds fishy to you, worry not. Bruno's spokesman, the ever candid John McArdle has a classic non-denial denial for you.
