Pennsylvania Racehorse Trainer Indicted

The Thoroughbred trainer was indicted on charges connected to illegally administering substances to racehorses.
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A federal grand jury in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, indicted a Thoroughbred trainer for conspiracy and wire fraud connected to the illegal administration of substances to racehorses at the Penn National Race Course.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania indicated that the five-count indictment alleges that, in 2013, Murray L. Rojas violated Pennsylvania law and state racing regulations by directing and conspiring with unnamed and unindicted veterinarian co-conspirators to administer substances to horses on days the animals were entered to race. The indictment further alleges that, in an effort to conceal the conduct, invoices connected to the sale and administration of the drugs were backdated and that fraudulent veterinary treatment reports were submitted to the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission (PSHRC).

In a written statement U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith said purse money for races is funded by the interstate electronic transfer of funds. The transmission of these funds are used to pay successful owners and trainers is essential to the alleged scheme to defraud. As a result, the indictment also alleges that Rojas obtained winnings totaling $52,360 from the 11 races in which she allegedly directed the administration of prohibited substances to her horses, Smith said in a written statement.

Rojas was unavailable for comment

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Written by:

Pat Raia is a veteran journalist who enjoys covering equine welfare, industry, and news. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her Tennessee Walking Horse, Sonny.

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