Hawthorne creditors seek probe into racing funds amid bankruptcy dispute case

The owners of Hawthorne Race Course and the official committee representing unsecured creditors are asking a bankruptcy judge to authorize an investigation into Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II over decisions involving horse racing funds. A motion filed May 20 in the Chapter 11 cases of Hawthorne Race Course and related entities seeks permission to examine Costello, the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Fairmount Park Casino & Racing, and lobbyist John P.