Whittingham Sues Bank for Negligence

Trainer Charlie Whittingham has sued Bank of America in connection with the alleged scheme in which as much as $2 million might have been embezzled from his stable’s payroll accounts.

Whittingham’s suit, filed in Superior Court in Pasadena, says that Bank of America was negligent in cashing many of the checks, which were issued in the past five years. Police investigators say that many of the checks were made out to non-existent stable employees.

According to Richard Craigo, Whittingham’s attorney, Bank of America maintained a payroll service for the trainer’s stable during the years the bogus checks were written. Whittingham’s racing operation regularly employs more than 100 people.

“The bank in many instances was cashing its own checks, made out to people who didn’t exist,” Craigo said. “What we’re saying in the suit is that much of this wouldn’t have happened without what we feel is the bank’s negligence.”

A spokesman for Bank of America said that he could not comment because he isn’t familiar with the suit.

The alleged scam is being investigated by the Sierra Madre Police Dept., but no charges have been filed. Whittingham’s former bookkeeper, Sally Stubblefield, is involved in the investigation, according to her attorney.