Mike Willman, former publicity director of Santa Anita, has filed a lawsuit against the racetrack, claiming wrongful termination after 19 years of service. He alleges that he was fired for refusing to lie about the racetrack's management in light of a spike in horse deaths in 2019. The lawsuit asserts that executives pressured him to shift blame onto trainers and escape accountability for ongoing surface and weather-related issues. Willman's claims include age discrimination and defamation that hindered his job prospects in the racing industry. Santa Anita has declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.
Willman's lawsuit contends he was given a false reason for termination, involving inappropriate language, while resisting pressure to deflect responsibility for horse deaths away from surface issues.
The suit alleges track executives engaged in age discrimination, defamation, and interfered with Willman's ability to find employment in the racing industry, reflecting broader issues of accountability.
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