The National Cutting Horse Association, which has been embroiled in controversy over lawsuits with members and the resignations of two ranking officers, said Saturday that it had settled a legal action brought by Alan Steen, who served as executive director for 11 weeks before quitting on Aug. 21.
The brief statement said the suit was "amicably resolved to the satisfaction of both parties," but it provided no further details.The Star-Telegram learned of the settlement too late to update a report about the Fort Worth-based equestrian group published in today's Business section, which went to press early.The association is now holding its annual Futurity event at Will Rogers Coliseum.Before settling, Steen said that he stood by the assertions in his suit.Among other things, the suit alleged, he resigned the $225,000-a-year job rather than be a "rubber stamp" for a group that misrepresented or falsified data to the state to receive cash from the Major Events Trust Fund, which uses sales, hotel, car rental and alcoholic beverage taxes to reimburse eligible entities that attract tourism.The association said an independent audit found no material problems, but it declined to release the report.The suit didn't say how much compensation Steen was seeking. But it disclosed that he borrowed $67,000 to fully vest in his retirement fund about the time he resigned as the top civil servant in the Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission to join the equestrian group as executive director.Reached Saturday night, Steen said details of the settlement are confidential. But he said that not insisting on a contract when he was offered the job "was a very serious mistake on my part."Asked whether state authorities should investigate his allegations, he said: "I stand behind my petition. It's out there. If someone wants to do something about, it's their business. That's all I am going to say."Barry Shlachter, 817-390-7718Twitter: @shlachterHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
