John Sabini

John D. Sabini
Chairman of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board
In office August 2008 – January 2013
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Member of the New York State Senate from the 13th district
In office January 1, 2003 – June 2008
Preceded by	Daniel Hevesi
Succeeded by	Hiram Monserrate
Member of the New York City Council from the 25th district
In office January 1, 1992 – December 31, 2001
Preceded by	Susan Alter
Succeeded by	Helen Sears
Personal details
Born	(1956-11-15) November 15, 1956
Party	Democratic
Alma mater	New York University (BS)
Occupation	Politician, government official, lobbyist

John D. Sabini (born November 15, 1956) is an American former politician and government official. A Democrat from Queens, he served in the New York City Council from 1992 to 2001 and in the New York State Senate from 2003 to 2008. He was the chairman of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board from 2008 to 2013, when the board was merged into the New York State Gaming Commission.

Early life and education

A lifelong resident of Jackson Heights, Sabini won election to the Community Advisory Board at Elmhurst Hospital at age 16. When he was 19, he was appointed to Community Board No. 3‑Q, where he served until his election to the City Council.

Sabini holds a degree from New York University's College of Business and Public Administration (now the Stern School of Business) and attended its Graduate School of Public Administration (now the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service).

Early career

Sabini served as District Administrator for Congressmen James H. Scheuer and Stephen J. Solarz. He also served as Director of the State Assembly's Subcommittee on Senior Citizen Facilities. Prior to his election to the City Council, Sabini was Vice President of the MWW Group, a public and government relations firm based in New Jersey.

The crisis surrounding the Queens County Democratic Organization following the death of Donald Manes in 1986 thrust Sabini into the position of interim chairman at a time when scrutiny from the media and federal investigators threatened the future of the local party organization. His success in stepping in to clean up the party earned him editorial support from The New York Times and Newsday. After completing the unexpired term, he was replaced by Congressman Thomas J. Manton after that year's primary election.

City Council (1992–2001)

On the City Council, Sabini held the post of Council representative to the City's Commission on Public Information and Communications, a panel seeking to improve interaction between New York City residents and city government and increase the use of technology. He was appointed Chair of the Council's Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Siting and Maritime Uses and was chosen for membership on the Council's influential Land Use Committee and on the Subcommittee on Planning, Dispositions and Concessions. In his legislative duties, he introduced and co‑sponsored many bills that helped to improve the quality of life for New Yorkers, including the Aggressive Panhandling bill and the Landmark Notification Law, which requires commercial tenants doing business in historic districts to be informed about their responsibilities under the city's landmarks law.

State Senate (2003–2008)

When the newly configured 13th Senate District was unveiled in the spring of 2002, Sabini became a candidate who amassed broad support within the Democratic Party. In 2004 and 2006 he was the Democratic nominee and was re‑elected in the general election.

Upon joining the Senate, Sabini received several high‑profile appointments unprecedented for a new member. He was appointed as the ranking member of the Elections Committee and was the Senate Democratic conferee on a conference committee designed to set up the state's framework to comply with the federal Help America Vote Act. Sabini was also appointed to the Rules Committee, the first freshman Democrat since 1937 to serve in that capacity.

In his first term, he introduced the bill that established by law the Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship, honoring the victims of that flight that crashed on the way to the Dominican Republic. He later introduced a bill—which also passed into law—to prevent the scheduling of statewide exams during major religious holidays.

In 2006, Sabini was appointed as Assistant Minority Leader for Intergovernmental Affairs. He served as the liaison between the Senate Minority Conference and the Governor's office, the State Assembly, Congress and local governments. Sabini simultaneously maintained his ranking membership status on the Transportation and Racing, Gaming & Wagering Committees.

Sabini was also appointed to several high‑profile panels in 2006. In February he served as the only New York State representative on a national transportation leadership summit at the White House. In April he served as the only New York City legislator on Governor Eliot Spitzer's special panel to determine the future of thoroughbred racing in New York and the operations of Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Saratoga Race Course.

Driving while ability impaired

On September 27, 2007, Albany police pulled over Sabini. He failed a field‑sobriety test and declined to take a Breathalyzer. Sabini pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while ability impaired. He paid a $300 fine, agreed to enroll in DWI classes, and his driver's license was suspended for six months.

End of State Senate term

Queens County Democratic party officials declined to support Sabini for re‑election in 2008. Instead, 12 of the 14 members of the party's county executive Committee gave their support to Hiram Monserrate, citing Monserrate's strength in the 2006 election and the changing ethnic politics of the district that were increasingly favorable to the challenger.

New York State Racing and Wagering Board (2008–2013)

Sabini resigned his Senate seat in June 2008 to accept a nomination by Governor David Paterson to become chairman of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board. He was confirmed by the State Senate in August 2008.

Few people in the racing industry knew much about Sabini when he took the post, but over the next four and a half years he became a prominent regulator with a national profile.

Key actions and controversies

During his tenure, Sabini oversaw or was involved in several major actions:

• **Exotic wagering overcharge scandal**: The board investigated a scandal in which bettors were overcharged an extra 1% for over a year, leading to the firing of NYRA CEO Charles Hayward and counsel Patrick Kehoe, and the state's subsequent takeover of the association.
• **Equine safety**: After a series of nearly two dozen horse breakdowns at Aqueduct during the 2012 winter meet, the board conducted an investigation and adopted new rules that were among the toughest in the nation. Sabini also co‑chaired a state Task Force on Retired Racehorses.
• **Trainer sanctions**: The board revoked trainer Richard Dutrow Jr.'s license for 10 years and fined him $50,000 for a lengthy series of violations. Dutrow later filed a federal lawsuit against Sabini and the board.
• **Animal cruelty**: The board banned owner‑breeder Ernie Paragallo for life after many horses were found to have been mistreated at his farm.
• **Casino opening**: The board oversaw the opening of the Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct in October 2011, which produced long‑awaited purse increases at NYRA tracks and a revival of New York's Thoroughbred breeding business.
• **Medication rules**: Sabini pushed through new steroid testing policies and amended medication rules, making New York among the nation's leaders in equine drug regulations.

Additional roles

In addition to his chairmanship, Sabini was tapped by Governor Paterson in May 2009 to head the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, a quasi‑government panel that distributes over $60 million a year in breeding and awards. He also chaired harness racing's Sire Stakes program.

In April 2012, Sabini was elected chairman of the Association of Racing Commissioners International.

Departure

Sabini stepped down as chairman in January 2013, just before the Racing and Wagering Board was merged into the new New York State Gaming Commission on February 1, 2013. His departure was timed partly for pension purposes. Governor Andrew Cuomo, who had been angered by several issues surrounding NYRA, including the equine deaths and the wagering scandal, did not appoint Sabini to the new Gaming Commission.

Sabini said he was pleased to have served both Governors Paterson and Cuomo and believed racing affairs were in better shape than when he began.

Post‑board career

After leaving the racing board, Sabini intended to open a private firm to work in public affairs and lobbying in Albany and Washington, D.C.

External links

• New York State Racing & Wagering Board – official biography (archived)