Ex-Grand Prix exec pleads to free up accounts

Jan. 27--The Grand Prix of Boston executive whose failed race set off a legal battle over more than a million dollars in accrued debt, is asking a judge to lift the freeze on his bank accounts.

Former chief executive and financial officer John Casey's assets were frozen by a bankruptcy judge after accusations he used the organization as his personal "piggy bank."

In a new filing, Casey told the court, he needed the money to pay his medical costs.

Casey, who is representing himself, filed the motion yesterday, but it was not clear if a judge would take up the motion.

Casey's filing was found deficient by a court clerk because it appeared to address two separate legal matters.

"Health insurance bill has not been paid and cannot be paid due to frozen accounts," Casey wrote in his filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court yesterday. "With Casey in Stage 4 of renal failure, this is commensurate with a death sentence."

Bankruptcy lawyer Gary W. Cruickshank, who is trustee for the Grand Prix, said, as former chief financial officer, Casey engaged in the "systematic looting" of the company and used its finances as a "piggy bank" -- claims vigorously disputed by the targeted executive.

Cruickshank filed a motion in December seeking to recover the organization's money from Casey, telling a court Casey was personally responsible for the debt.

Reached last night, Casey declined to comment.

Casey wrote in his new motion that since a judge froze his accounts on Jan. 6, he has had to withdraw his son from private school, has failed to pay credit card bills and has been prevented from refinancing his home.

After plans for the race fell apart earlier this year amid finger-pointing by city officials and the national IndyCar organization, the Grand Prix filed for bankruptcy in July, while still owing ticket holders $1.6 million.

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