Robert Hutt, president of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of seven directors from the organization’s board, alleging that the directors have stymied efforts to investigate actions undertaken by the group’s preceding management. Hutt, who also is a board member of the Pennsylvania THA, was joined in the lawsuit by fellow board member John Julia. The suit, which was filed in a Bucks County Civil Court, names seven board members as defendants, including the current executive director, Jeff Matty. The Pennsylvania THA represents horsemen at Parx Racing outside of Philadelphia, a track that runs nearly year-round due to vast subsidies from casino gambling at the track. According to data from the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Racing Commission and horsemen’s officials, the subsidies provide approximately 90 percent of all purses distributed at the track. Hutt, who runs a Pennsylvania-based racing and breeding partnership, had been a frequent critic of the Pennsylvania THA prior to being elected president in a November 2022 election. In comments made as recently as two weeks ago, Hutt contended that the board has been too close to management at Parx for two decades. The lawsuit contends that efforts by Hutt and Julia to initiate investigations of payments made by the Pennsylvania THA to a law firm and consulting company connected to the organization’s former president, Sal DeBunda, have been stymied by the seven board members named as defendants. The lawsuit also contends that the board improperly ratified a new employment contract for Matty shortly before DeBunda stepped down. :: Get the Inside Track with the FREE DRF Morning Line Email Newsletter. Subscribe now.  Matty and DeBunda did not return phone calls seeking comment Monday. However, the seven defendants released a statement Tuesday afternoon saying they will "vigorously and forcefully defend against the false and malicious allegations" in the suit. "We will not be intimidated by those who engage in personal attacks and litigation for their own personal gain," the statement said. The lawsuit lays out a series of actions that it calls “unlawful” or that violated the bylaws of the organization. It contends that Matty has “run interference and placed obstacles in Hutt’s path to investigating past misconduct and implementing reforms.” Matty has been the executive director of the organization since 2021. “Because of [the defendandts’] willing participation and/or steadfast refusal to take remedial action on behalf of PTHA, their removal by court action is necessary,” the suit says. Directors on the Pennsylvania THA board are elected to three-year terms. The board consists of nine elected members, plus the president and executive director. Elections take place every three years. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.