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Navarro, Servis Among 27 Indicted On
FEDERAL CHARGES RELATED TO PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUGS
By Natalie Voss, PaulickReport.com
Trainers Jorge Navarro and Jason Servis
are among 27 people indicted on fed-
eral charges in connection with the use of performance-enhancing drugs on racehorses, according to indictments released March 9 by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Alongside Navarro and Servis, several assistant trainers, veterinarians, pharmacists and drug distributors are also named on a variety of charges related to drugs that were mislabeled
or misbranded. According to evidence taken by federal investigators, those products were (or were marketed as) blocking agents, masking agents, EPO agents, and products similar to clenbuterol and Viagra.
Navarro is charged with drug adulteration and misbranding conspiracy alongside Dr.
Erica Garcia, trainer Marcos Zulueta, Dr. Greg Skelton, trainer Michael Tannuzzo, Ross Cohen, Dr. Seth Fishman, harness trainer Christopher Oakes and harness trainer Nicholas Surick.
The indictment maintains the group was involved in “a corrupt scheme to manufacture, create, purchase, distribute, transport, sell and administer a wide variety of misbranded and adulterated PEDs.”
Per a release from the U.S. Attorney’s office, Navarro was charged with two counts of misbranding conspiracy, each carrying a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment. Servis faces one count of misbranding conspiracy with a maximum imprisonment of five years. Surick was
charged with two counts of obstruction, each carrying a maximum of 20 years, along with two counts of misbranding conspiracy that each have five-year maximum penalties.
The indictments announced March 9 also included a number of drug makers and drug distributors, including Scott Mangini and Scott Robinson. According to the indictment, Mangini and Robinson formed a partnership between 2011 and 2016 to sell misbranded and adulterated PEDs for use in racehorses. The pair created and managed HorseGold. com and HorsePreRace.com. After the pair went their separate ways, Mangini set up RacehorseMeds.com and Robinson ran RUI Labs or RUI Products. The Paulick Report also reported on several of those companies
in 2016. The two are accused of distributing EPO agents, joint blocks, red acid and at least one product labeled as Viagra. Both
are charged with drug adulteration and misbranding conspiracy, each with maximum penalties of 10 years’ imprisonment.
Sarah Izhaki and Ashley Lebowitz
are charged with drug adulteration and misbranding conspiracy, as they are accused of being distributors of illegal substances on the racetrack for an unnamed Mexican drug manufacturer. Their wares allegedly included EPO and a masking substance called “The Devil” designed to hide illegal drugs on post- race or out-of-competition drug tests. Izhaki faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for smuggling, along with five years for
misbranding conspiracy, while Lebowitz could face up to five years imprisonment for her misbranding conspiracy charge.
Charges were also filed against veterinarian Dr. Louis Grasso, trainer Thomas Guido III, assistant trainer Conor Flynn, and Donato Poliseno, owner of an unnamed veterinary supply company based in Delaware, for drug adulteration and misbranding conspiracy.
Jockeys’ Guild Statement on Recent Indictments
In light of the extremely concerning events that led to the recent indictment of at least 27 individuals in the racing industry, including trainers and veterinarians, the Jockeys’ Guild would like to reiterate the importance of the safety and welfare of both the human and equine athletes.
If the allegations are true, we have grave concerns about the complete disregard for the well-being of the horses, as well as the lives
of all of the riders who were on the backs of these horses.
The use of illegal medications and prohibited substances has always been and will continue to be a top priority of the Guild.
The Jockeys’ Guild would like to work with all facets of the industry to assure that racing
is conducted with the highest level of integrity and transparency. By working together with the industry, we will be able to protect the safety of both the horse and rider, as well as earn back the trust of the fans and general public.
138 SPEEDHORSE April 2020