Crime & Safety
NASCAR Cuts Ties With Speedbowl Following Danbury Sex Trafficking Bust
NASCAR ends its relationship with the New London-Waterford Speedbowl following the owner's recent arrest on human trafficking charges.
By RJ Scofield, Patch Staff
HARTFORD, CT - NASCAR announced Thursday it has terminated the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series sanction and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race sanction with the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
The announcement was made on the NASCAR Home Tracks official Twitter page. The termination will start “effective immediately, according to the tweet.
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This news comes nearly a week after owner Bruce Bemer, 63, was arrested for allegedly running a human trafficking ring out of Danbury with two other men. Police said the men exploited young men with mental health issues.
#NASCAR Statement regarding the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. pic.twitter.com/HeZe9XlZAx
— NASCAR Home Tracks (@NASCARHomeTrack) April 6, 2017
The charges spurred an uproar across the state, leading the state General Assembly's Judiciary Committee to vote unanimously to approve a bill increasing the punishments for human trafficking. The bill would upgrade the crime of trafficking in persons from a Class B to a Class A felony allowing for stiffer penalties.
Find out what's happening in Danburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
See also: Speedbowl Owner Admitted to Paying for Sex With 'Boys' For Over 20 Years: Police
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