[rojas]

Emails from Spurlock of Clay Co. implicates 14th region refs in gambling.

The gambling issue with officials is centered in Hazard. For years, for a fee of $50 you could pick the Sweet 16 field. The person who picks the most Sweet 16 participants won the pot. You can feel out as many cards as you like for $50 per card. The pot is usually between $50,000 and $80,000. The gambling ring was busted at least once by the IRS. The winner was charged not with gambling but failure to pay taxes on his winnings. The year they were busted several officials, mostly from the 14th region, but several from as far away as the 1st region were participating. If an official stands to possibly win $80,000, do you think it would influence a few calls in a regional tournament game?

The 13th and 14th region officials have been kind of shady for decades. Some coaches get to choose their officals for big games while others have no influence what so ever. Why do you think it is so hard to get good teams from other regions to come to the 13th and 14th regions to play?

Also, about 15 years ago a few officials, from the 13th and 14th regions, were caught running a gambling book out of the Height Regency during the Sweet 16. These officials were busted by the Lexington City Police. They were booked and charged and plead guilty. The KHSAA let them to continue to officate the following year.