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SARATOGA SPRINGS — Thoroughbred trainer Chad Brown is being sued for an undisclosed amount by the same woman involved in his arrest following an alleged domestic violence incident at his home during the 2022 Saratoga Race Course meet.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday morning in New York state Supreme Court in Saratoga County and alleges that Brown “intentionally attacked her, physically violently assaulting, battering, pushing, and striking her,” then pushing her down a flight of stairs, choking the plaintiff and “pushing her violently out the front door.”
The Gazette is withholding the plaintiff’s name because she’s the alleged victim of domestic violence.
Brown, a Mechanicville native who has won the Eclipse Award as most outstanding trainer in North America four times since 2016, was arrested by Saratoga Springs police on the night of Aug. 17, 2022, while the Saratoga meet was in full swing, and spent the night in jail.
He was arraigned on Aug. 18 on a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of breathing and posted bail after pleading not guilty. On Nov. 14, he avoided trial by agreeing to a reduced charge of harassment in the second degree, a violation, and Brown was ordered to stay arrest-free for a year and is subject to a two-year order of protection that prohibits him from contacting the alleged victim.
The lawsuit describes an alleged incident in which the plaintiff, who had “developed a personal romantic relationship” with Brown, entered Brown’s house with a key that he had given her and discovered him with another woman. The suit alleges that Brown falsely pretended not to recognize the plaintiff before launching the attack.
The suit says the plaintiff suffered a variety of injuries and emotional pain and seeks compensation for that, as well as medical costs and lost income.
The lawsuit was brought to the Supreme Court because the amount of damages sought exceeds the jurisdictional limits of lower courts.
Attorney Kevin E. Kruse, of Brandon J. Broderick, Esq., LLC filed the suit on behalf of the plaintiff, who is being represented by Jason A. Richman of the same firm. No attorney is listed for Brown, who has 30 days to respond upon receiving the summons.
Upon resolution of the criminal case in Saratoga Springs City Court in November, Saratoga County Assistant District Attorney Rachael Phelan told Judge Francine Vero that the reduced charge “is an appropriate disposition based on some difficulties that may arise at trial in terms of witness statements and certain evidence.”
After pleading guilty to the violation, Brown issued this statement through his attorney, Matt Chauvin:
“While I’m satisfied to put this unfortunate incident behind me and pleased that as a result I will not have a criminal record, I regret details of my personal life being made public through the media. For this, I apologize to my family, friends, clients, and coworkers. I can and will do better in the future. I greatly appreciate all who have supported me throughout this ordeal.”
Vero included a carve-out to the order of protection that allowed for incidental contact, since the alleged victim also works at the New York racetracks at Saratoga, Belmont Park and Aqueduct.
Categories: -Sports-, At The Track, Email Newsletter, News, Saratoga County, Saratoga Springs
