Sensationalized, Uncorroborated Allegations Seek to Tarnish Reputation of Respected Niagara County Judge Caroline Wojtaszek
In recent days, uncorroborated accusations made under the cloak of anonymity have been circulated by multiple disgruntled employees at Batavia Downs targeting both Niagara County Court Judge Caroline Wojtaszek and her husband, former President and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. (WROTB) Henry Wojtaszek. These claims, alleging that Judge Wojtaszek “verbally accosted” an employee during a public event, were reported without evidence, without independent and unbiased witnesses, and without so much as a name attached publicly. Yet the story was published in a way designed to impugn the reputation of a respected jurist with decades of service to Niagara County.
At issue is a supposed confrontation at Batavia Downs on September 6th during the New York Sire Stakes “Night of Champions.” According to a letter signed by four employees of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. (WROTB), Judge Wojtaszek confronted a staff member critical of her husband. The story goes that she allegedly pointed a finger and called the staffer names, claiming opposition would not prevent her husband from returning to OTB’s board of directors…