Fired Batavia Downs Executive Resolves Case with FBI for $550,000 Settlement
In a recent turn of events, Michael Nolan, a former top executive for the Batavia Downs racetrack and casino, has reached a settlement with the New York-state-owned betting agency that owns Batavia Downs, Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp (WROTB), over a wrongful termination lawsuit. The settlement, made on March 31, 2025, resolves both lawsuits without any admission of guilt from either party.
The lawsuit was initiated by Nolan following his dismissal from WROTB five years ago. He claimed that his termination was a retaliation for exposing alleged graft and improper practices within the organisation, which he reported internally and to regulatory authorities.
Nolan's allegations against WROTB included claims of gold-plated health insurance being awarded to board directors, the improper use of video lottery terminal funds, and the use of public money to purchase VIP tickets to sporting events.
In a bid to counter these allegations, WROTB filed a counterclaim against Nolan and his lawyer, accusing them of orchestrating a "public smear campaign" by leaking confidential and incorrect information to the media. However, the details of the settlement agreement remain confidential.
Nolan's ordeal caused significant emotional distress and led to personal financial burdens, including $80K in legal fees. He had previously spoken about experiencing "living hell" after blowing the whistle on alleged improprieties.
The settlement marks a significant step in the case, although it does not necessarily resolve the underlying issues of graft and corruption that Nolan initially raised. The potential implications of this case extend beyond WROTB, potentially reinforcing protections for employees who report wrongdoing and promoting reforms in oversight and ethical conduct within similar organisations.
As the case progresses, it is expected that there will be further legal proceedings, potential internal or independent audits into WROTB’s practices, and possible policy changes to strengthen whistleblower protections and compliance measures. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
Michael Nolan, a former executive for the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp (WROTB), was involved in a wrongful termination lawsuit against WROTB, which is a New York-state-owned betting agency that owns Batavia Downs racetrack. Nolan claimed that his termination was a retaliation for reporting alleged graft and improper practices within the organisation, including the awarding of gold-plated health insurance to board directors, the improper use of video lottery terminal funds, and the use of public money to purchase VIP tickets to sports events. Despite WROTB's counterclaim against Nolan and his lawyer for alleged leaking of confidential information, they reached a settlement on March 31, 2025, which resolved both lawsuits without any admission of guilt from either party. Nolan's ordeal caused significant emotional distress and personal financial burdens, including $80K in legal fees, and he had previously spoken about experiencing "living hell" after blowing the whistle on alleged improprieties, making him a whistleblower in the sports industry.