A group of members of my local Saddle Club is seeking a vote this evening that we write a letter in the club’s name attesting to Cardine’s character to USEF/VHSA. He is seeking reinstatement. Our club runs a horse show series that includes several VHSA Associate rated classes. Currently he is not permitted to attend these shows, nor is he a part of the Show Committee, although he is currently a member of the club. I am inclined to vote no. Are there any current reason’s why we should or should not pursue this?
He is seeking reinstatement again? I think there is plenty of history showing that most are vehemently against this happening.
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People in your club are familiar with the case and the charges and want to attest to his good character? They want him to be attending your local shows and doing deals with your club members?
- In reality, CARDINE and BERLIN systematically took possession of ponies and horses to sell, sold them without notifying their owners, and pocketed the sales price in full. In some instances, they notified the owners that their horses had been sold, but under-represented the sales price by thousands of dollars, keeping the difference for themselves.
- In or about the Fall of 1998, BERLIN falsely told “V. & M.S.” that he had found a buyer who was willing to purchase “Next Kid” for $8,000. “V. & M.S.” agreed to the $8,000 purchase price. CARDINE and BERLIN falsely told “V. & M.S.” that the horse was being purchased for a child whose parents were paying one-half of the purchase price while the grandparents were paying the other half, and asked “V. & M.S.” if they minded receiving two $4,000 checks as payment for “Next Kid.” “V. & M.S.” agreed to the proposed two-check plan; however, they only received one $4,000 check from “Meadowbrook Manor Farms”.
- In fact, in or about July 1998, CARDINE and BERLIN had actually sold “Next Kid” to “D.P.” in Ellicott City, Maryland, for $20,000, concealed that sale, and fraudulently retained the $16,000 in sale proceeds above the amount paid to “V. & M.S.”
- In March of 1999, however, after CARDINE and BERLIN returned to Maryland, they called “D.H.” in Virginia from Maryland and falsely informed her that, although there had been some interest in “Rainbeau’s Northen Bell,” the horse had not sold.
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In fact, CARDINE and BERLIN had sold “Rainbeau’s Northern Belle” at the Mississippi show to “S.S.” for $28,000 and fraudulently concealed the sale and retained the sale proceeds.
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At that time, CARDINE also told “D.H.” that if someone did not buy the horse, he would like to purchase it. “D.H.” then agreed to sell “Rainbeau’s Northen Bell” to CARDINE for $10,000. Despite the agreement, CARDINE never paid “D.H.” for the horse.
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By 1999, CARDINE and BERLIN had relocated themselves and their horse business to a horse farm in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
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During the Summer of 1999, “D.H.” and “D.H.'s” daughter visited the Chesterfield County farm numerous times to check on “Rainbeau’s Northern Belle.” Each time, CARDINE and BERLIN, to conceal the earlier sale, gave them numerous false and fraudulent excuses, statements, and representations to explain the horse’s absence from the farm.
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On or about October 23, 1999, “D.H.” went to the Chesterfield County Farm in an attempt to collect the money owed to “D.H.” for “Rainbeau’s Northern Belle.” BERLIN wrote out a contract for the purchase and gave “D.H.” a check in the amount of $2,000, written on the account of “Meadowbrook Manor Farm” at NationsBank, Maryland. When “D.H.” attempted to cash the check shortly thereafter the check was returned for insufficient funds.
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After the check “bounced,” “D.H.” called CARDINE, who agreed to send “D.H.” a cashier’s check by overnight mail. “D.H.” never received the promised cashier’s check from CARDINE, and when “D.H.” attempted to telephone him, “D.H.” learned CARDINE and BERLIN’s telephone line had been disconnected.
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At about the same time that CARDINE gave her the fraudulent check, “D.H.” learned that “Rainbeau’s Northern Belle” had actually been sold to “S.S.” for approximately $28,000 during the March, 1999 horse show in Gulfport, Mississippi.
On December 6, 2005, the Probation Officer filed a Petition on Supervised Release seeking an Order modifying the terms of defendant’s supervised release to prohibit Cardine from being self-employed in the equestrian industry.
When your probation officer files that, you’re probably an upstanding guy.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
As set forth in the Indictment and Statement of Facts in support of the guilty plea (J.A. 12-23, 46-50, 96-105), Cardine engaged in an extensive, pervasive fraudulent scheme, stealing horses or the proceeds from their sales. Further, in one fraudulent sale, Cardine endangered a child rider by assuring the parent that the horse was sufficiently calm for such a young rider when in fact he knew the horse spooked regularly and was quite dangerous. (J.A. 100-01).
Given the defendant’s fraudulent past, and the need for the Probation Officer to effectively supervise the defendant for a three-year period, the Probation Officer sought to restrict the defendant’s ability to engage in such criminal and dangerous conduct during the supervised release period by filing the petition. (J.A. 58-60). At the hearing, the United States and the defendant proffered evidence in the form of letters (J.A. 74-90)1, accepted by the Court without objection (J.A. 71-72). The letters from a Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office detective, and 9 prominent citizens involved
in the equestrian industry, established that Cardine and his co-defendant had knowingly engaged in extensive fraud within the equestrian industry (J.A. 74-84), were likely to repeat the fraud as indicated by the extensive and pervasive nature of his fraudulent conduct (J.A. 74-84), and had abused and improperly cared for several horses resulting in the euthanasia of at least one and the loss of an eye by another (J.A. 77-78, 81, 83).
The opinions of those who dealt with Cardine over a long period of time, and were knowledgeable of his extensive criminal frauds, are telling. Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office Detective Wolfe wrote that based on his extensive investigation, “It is my opinion that these two individuals have plagued members of the equine society and would continue to be a detriment to these individuals should they be allowed to return to their former professions and activities.” (J.A. 75). Ms. Phillips, President of the James River Equestrian Center, Inc., wrote, “the problem is they have been dishonest for so long, that is all they know. … they seem to prey on a certain type of woman … I am certain they will continue this pattern after jail unless they are forced to do something else during their parole time.” (J.A. 76). Ms. Mustoe wrote recommending Cardine be banned from “the horse industry in any way. I believe this should include everything - from riding, teaching, coaching - to - buying, selling - to - mucking stalls. I firmly believe they should be completely banned … they need to be banned from working with or around children as well as horses” (J.A. 79). Ms. Cohen stressed that after being around Cardine, she recommended he “no longer be involved with horses or our sport. … to stop them from hurting more people.” (J.A. 80). A professional trainer, Ms. Nininger, who has known Cardine for 10 years, recommended Cardine not have “any avenues to working in the horse industry as a horse trainer, instructor, or groom and absolutely NO SALES of any animal. … [because] in any dealings Josh has always ended up hurting some child, parent or business person. He is uncapable of handling himself in a professional manner. … I beg you to please eliminate him from participating in any horse show … He doesn’t even need to be allowed to be a groom at a horse show so he cannot expose his deceitful ways among any more reputable individuals.” (J.A. 82, emphasis in original). A stable owner, trainer and exhibitor, Ms. Thompson, made it “clear that these two men should not be allowed to have anything to do with the horse industry.”
(J.A. 84).
Mr. Underhill stressed the abuse of the animals, writing, “… it is the neglect, abandonment and abuse of the animals that I feel is an even larger issue. They have no compassion for these animals and only see them as a way to make money. There have been too many people and animals hurt … [I am] asking you to please reconsider and NOT allow them back in the horse business.” (J.A. 77, emphasis in original).
In the same vein, Ms. Solomon reported “They left all the other animals (including 4 pregnant mares) in a field for 6 weeks of harsh winter … Keeping them from working within the horse industry in any capacity would be an excellent start” to avoid future injuries. (J.A. 78). A horse owner and medical doctor, Dr. Bibro, wrote to Judge Williams about her sad experience in which Cardine “demonstrated consistent lack of concern for the physical well being of animals in his care. A horse of mine lost an eye as a result of his neglect, and I know I am not an isolated case. I feel separation from the horse industry for the period of probation, at least, would provide additional time for reflection for Mr. Cardine.” (J.A. 81). After recovering her horse from Cardine, Ms. Dodge found the horse “in terrible condition … (probably due to lack of feed).” (J.A. 83). The abuse caused colic requiring the animal be “put down.” (J.A. 83).
There was also evidence in the Presentence Investigation Report that the defendants had knowingly endangered a child rider by placing the rider on a horse known to be dangerously unsteady, which had led the district court to apply the sentencing guidelines enhancement for conscious or reckless risk of serious bodily injury under U.S.S.G. § 2F1.1(b)(6)(A). (J.A. 100-01, 117, 123). In addition to the physical danger to children, several writers noted that children were injured in the sense of disillusionment and sadness by the frauds perpetrated on their parents. (J.A. 78-79). Dr. Bibro explained to the district court that, “My most important reason for wanting to keep Mr. Cardine away from horse related jobs is that much of the horse business, and all of Mr. Cardine’s offenses, involved families and children and adolescents. Riding trainers and coaches are very important teachers of more than just physical sport to impressionable children. Children place great trust and emotional energy into their trainers. To disillusion a child, when their trusted trainer turns out to be a thief, causes great hurt and confusion.” (J.A. 81).
Based on this extensive record of many engaged in the horse industry, and after considering letters of support submitted by the defendant, the district court entered an Order modifying the terms of defendant’s supervised release prohibiting the Cardine from employment in the equestrian industry during the period of supervised release. The district court specifically found that the additional condition was “necessary to protect the public” and that “a partial prohibition would not provide adequate protection.” (J.A. 91).
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After reading Poltroon’s post I can’t believe they’ll even accept his membership.
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The only reason to re-instate this individual would be to collect any funds. Honestly, if these organizations were to re-instate this person it would give me pause to question my continued membership with those organizations.
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I have seen him on show grounds during the time he was banned… that right there shows just how “great” his character is…
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When the OP writes attest to character, I do not assume in support of reinstatement, but rather to oppose it. Did I get that wrong?
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@EmilyM it sounds like OP is against writing a letter for his reinstatement - but it isn’t clear whether the club is in support or against reinstatement. Since they allow him to be a part of the club that speaks volumes about this club (imo).
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I find it very ironic that the people speaking out here are not even in the same state or zone for that matter and seem to have so much to say . I mean really, the guy has paid the price now for over how many years ? And you still complain . Well if the likes of Larry and Kelly can continue to show then what’s the harm of him doing local shows. And to the Poster who has seen him on show grounds , can you give specific dates and locations as I see you are also not in the same area , boy you must really travel far to show your horses. Or are you adding fuel to the fire here . Fake News.
LOL.
Either way , we all have our opinion and thoughts but it seems you guys are willing to let others do as they please but will not even let him do a local show. I mean put guidelines and limitations if you have to but but we all make mistakes , we pay the price , and we learn.
As Far As the other party involved, who cares … Wow you guys are digging deep here . Life’s too short for this , another reason top get out of horses. UGH .
OP might also be posting to raise awareness of what’s going on to get members to speak up. This kind of deadbeat tends to try to fly under the radar to sneak back in with the support of a few insiders who think nobody will notice.
We all tend to be be somewhat apathetic when it comes to participating in anything involving the operation of organizations we belong to. We join because you must to show and have points count. We don’t read the minutes or go to meetings and some boards don’t even want us there lest we rock their boat.
Thonk it’s somewhat embarrassing reinstatement is even being considered.
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There are some Virginia pony people that seem to have allowed him back in the fold. I guess people have short memories. Or never actually read through all of the things they did. Re-reading what poltroon posted made my skin crawl. It looks like he has changed his prefix from Meadowbrook to Meadowcreek. His former partner was showing ponies under his mom’s name in the VPBA stuff as a work around at one point. No one cared, but they really didn’t do very well either. Part of their original sentence was to be banned from the industry completely, but the ban was only for a certain amount of time. I also think they have tried this reinstatement business before and once word got out it didn’t go well for them.
Don’t know if people have short memories or they just don’t know and get sweet talked by pie in the sky promises and increasing their own reputation and wealth. They get sucked in by a well practiced con.
Its hard to research specifics in this industry, even with Google. You got USEF actions, you got civil actions and you got criminal actions in various jurisdictions, No combined data base. Much of the time a Google search goes right here to COTH.
So, now they know on this one. Sad fact many, including on here, don’t know anything about PV and the others in that scheme.
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:ambivalence::uhoh:
Yes, they should be kicking him out of the local saddle club, never mind trying to get him reinstated.
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He does have a cult-like following in the VB area. I just assume a lot of people either don’t care about his past, or are ignorant enough not to look into who he actually is. He claims he had no idea what was going on and that it was just KB behind it all, but KB will say the same thing about him. Either way both of them are cons.
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Oh, yeah, I believe he had no idea there was a move to reinstate his little old innocent self, just a group of well meaning followers trying to help him…
BS. That’s how his type operate. They never initiate anything, they have no knowledge of others actions on their behalf. Load of total crap.
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What happened with the 2015 request for reinstatement? Since he is still banned it was obviously denied, but are there guidelines on how often you can ask after you have been denied or can you just do it whenever you feel like it?
Thank you for your responses. It’s unfortunate that some of our club members are very nice people who train with him and believe he just “made mistakes” and deserves a second chance. At least it was decided to defer the letter until some later time. If I can keep his past victims in mind, hopefully it will caution others not to be current victims.
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Happy to hear that the club made a very smart decision! Just remember leopards don’t change their spots!
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Just want to add that I am happy your club did the right thing (for now). It amazes me how short the collective memory of the horse world can be. I’m not sure if some people do not know or they are willing to look the other way in an attempt to further themselves, either way it is sad. Some bad people out there still make a living and have devout followers despite horrible behavior. Kudos to you.
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