Three Harness Drivers Sue the CHRB Over Constitutionality of Random Drug Tests

Three harness racing drivers filed a $2-million federal lawsuit in Los Angeles Friday against the California Horse Racing Board, claiming their constitutional rights were violated when they were required to take random drug tests.

Donald Pierce, Charles Hill Jr. and Robert Sleeth claim their right to privacy, due process and protection against unreasonable search and seizure were violated when the board required them to give urine samples Jan. 13.

Named as defendants in the suit were the California Horse Racing Board; Michael Corley, Robert Latzo, Peter Tommila, all stewards at Los Alamitos, and Marla Lloyd, a board investigator.

The racers’ tests were sent to a laboratory near Sacramento, which issued a report that indicated Pierce had tested positive for morphine use; Hill had tested positive for marijuana use.

On Jan. 24, after the board issued a complaint against Pierce and Hill, the two men were suspended for 15 days each. The suspensions were overturned within a few days.