THE fate of embattled Yangery trainer Jarrod McLean will become clearer next week as racing authorities decide the date he will face serious charges laid after raids on properties connected to him and disgraced fellow trainer Darren Weir earlier this year.
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The racing world was rocked to its core when Weir was banned for four years in February after simultaneous raids on his stables in Warrnambool and Ballarat on January 30 discovered four electronic shock devices, known as jiggers.
Weir was subsequently found guilty of possessing the "jiggers" and of conduct prejudicial to the image of racing.
McLean, who was Weir's stable foreman, was also charged with possession of an electric or electronic apparatus capable of affecting the performance of a horse, failure to give evidence at an inquiry, failure to comply with a direction of the stewards and conduct prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing.
The group-one winning trainer has proclaimed his innocence and Racing Victoria has confirmed to The Standard he will find out on Wednesday when he will be able to defend himself at a Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board hearing before Judge Bowman.
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Wednesday's directions hearing will determine when the charges will be heard and the process the hearing will take including what witnesses will be called.
Last week an administration mention relating to the case saw correspondence exchanged between the RAD board, stewards and McLean's legal representatives.
In February the board postponed hearing the charges against McLean and gave no reason for the delay.
Just a few weeks later, RV refused McLean's application to take over Weir's $1 million on-course training stables at the Warrnambool racecourse.
McLean applied to take over 43 boxes which were used by Weir, as well as a smaller on-course training facility also used by Weir which contains 13 on-course stables.
In a statement released in late March, the board said that "acting in the interests and image of Victorian racing", McLean's application "cannot be approved while serious charges laid by RV Stewards are pending hearing and determination by the RAD Board and while the current Victoria Police investigation remains ongoing".
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