Dr. G Update

- No further developments thus far on Wayne Gertmenian’s alleged $217,000 money grab on the day that he and Albert Fiss were removed from their posts at the Jockeys Guild. The matter was turned over to the police, and the result of the investigation is still pending. I mean, he couldn’t really have been brazen enough to do such a thing. Could he? He’s already under scrutiny by the United States Congress for possible contempt for failing to comply with their subpoenas. We knew the guy was shifty and devious, but if the allegations about the money turns out to be true, that would be a strong indication that he's just a fucking idiot. When the film of this whole affair is produced, I don’t know whether it will be tragedy, comedy, farce, or science fiction.

Meanwhile, the guy continues to be on the staff at Pepperdine University, where he teaches a course entitled Prices, Profit and the Market Economy. The school’s website continues to trumpet claims that he worked in the Nixon and Ford administrations from his resume (scroll down a bit) even though they have been widely discredited from people who should know. "We've heard from Henry Kissinger, and he said he never heard of this man," said Rep. Joe L. Barton (R-Texas). "When [Gertmenian testified], he set a new standard for disingenuous and fraudulent statements."[LA Times] Pepperdine issued a statement in response to questions about their Dr. G:

"While we can confirm that Dr. Gertmenian is currently a professor of economics at the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University, the university does not publicly comment on personnel matters pertaining to its staff, faculty or students.

"As always, the university reserves the right to take action should any staff, faculty or student engage in unlawful conduct or conduct inconsistent with the university's policies, procedures or practices."

In addition to their money woes, the new Guild staff, headed by Interim national manager Darrell Haire is now facing that $10 million lawsuit filed by Gary Birzer. Haire’s job has to be up there with NYRA’s Charles Hayward on the list of jobs NOT to be thankful for on this holiday.

- A couple of retirements: Florida Derby winner High Fly is done with a medial condylar fracture of his right front fetlock. And Distaff winner Pleasant Home has a date with Awesome Again.