Grasso Enters Plea in Harness Doping Case

Louis Grasso, a veterinarian who is among six persons charged two years ago in a New York federal court with harness racing-related doping offenses, entered a guilty plea May 11 to a single superseding count of distributing misbranded drugs to improve racehorse performance.

According to a release from Damian Williams, U. S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Grasso was paid to issue prescriptions for powerful and medically unnecessary performance-enhancing drugs. He also created, distributed, and administered custom-made performance-enhancing drugs, according to the release, which also says he helped corrupt trainers collect more than $47 million in wrongful purse winnings.

U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel accepted Grasso's guilty plea and scheduled sentencing Sept. 6. Former harness trainer Richard Banca, who entered a guilty plea before Castel on April 19, is set to be sentenced the same day.

Along with Grasso's guilty plea, a forfeiture order equivalent to a money judgment is to be entered against Grasso in the amount of $412,442.62, representing the value of forfeitable property and constituting a part of his sentence.

According to court documents, Banca employed assistant trainer Conor Flynn. FBI wiretaps have Grasso telling Flynn to distribute illicit substances to Banca. An affidavit signed by an FBI agent has Flynn admitting he administered PEDs at Banca's direction.

The other four named in the original indictment are Rene Allard, Thomas Guido III, Donato Poliseno, and Flynn. They were harness trainers at the time of the alleged offenses. A jury trial is set for June 27.

Grasso, who was said to have health issues in a court filing, was allowed to enter his plea via virtual device after waiving his physical appearance in court. He was represented by attorneys Glenn Garber and Nora Stewart. Assistant U. S. Attorney Sarah Mortazavi, who has been active in the prosecution of many of the doping cases in the Southern District of New York, appeared for the prosecution.

Williams said: "Grasso and Banca represent the corruption and greed of those in the racehorse industry looking to win at any cost. In peddling illegal drugs and selling prescriptions to corrupt trainers, Louis Grasso abdicated his responsibilities as a medical professional to ensure the safety and health of the racehorses he 'treated.' By injecting horses with unnecessary and, at times, unknown drugs, Grasso risked the lives and welfare of the animals under his care, all in service of helping corrupt racehorse trainers like Banca line their pockets through fraud. These latest convictions demonstrate the commitment of this Office and of our partners at the FBI to hold accountable individuals seeking to profit from animal abuse and deceit.”

Williams attributed the success of the prosecution to the FBI New York Office’s Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force and its support of the Bureau’s Integrity in Sports and Gaming Initiative. Williams also thanked the Food and Drug Administration for its assistance.