FBI Arrests Trainers for Illegal Doping; 25 yrs + 500k fine

[Whirlaway]

Wells, Webb and Rogers, all horse trainers, were charged with allegedly devising a scheme to defraud those betting on thoroughbred races at Penn National Racetrack by attempting to administer, and administering in violation of state racing rules and regulations, substances prohibited from being introduced into a horse within 24 hours of when the horse is scheduled to race.

The Robertson indictment alleges that Robertson, in exchange for cash given to him by trainers known and unknown to the grand jury, would provide false workout times to racing officials and to Equibase. The times Robertson turned in allegedly, at times, included completely fabricated time for horses that did not workout at all at the track. The indictment alleges Robertson profited personally from the scheme, the betting public was defrauded and Robertson’s employer, Hollywood Casino and Racetrack, was denied of its right to Robertson’s honest services.

http://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/arrests-rock-penn-national/

[TJ]

Wells, Webb and Rogers, all horse trainers, were charged with allegedly devising a scheme to defraud those betting on thoroughbred races at Penn National Racetrack by attempting to administer, and administering in violation of state racing rules and regulations, substances prohibited from being introduced into a horse within 24 hours of when the horse is scheduled to race.

The Robertson indictment alleges that Robertson, in exchange for cash given to him by trainers known and unknown to the grand jury, would provide false workout times to racing officials and to Equibase. The times Robertson turned in allegedly, at times, included completely fabricated time for horses that did not workout at all at the track. The indictment alleges Robertson profited personally from the scheme, the betting public was defrauded and Robertson’s employer, Hollywood Casino and Racetrack, was denied of its right to Robertson’s honest services.

http://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/arrests-rock-penn-national/

Hi Whirl,
Glad to see this practice of phony published works finally being brought to light. This is something that goes on in many jurisdictions. This article alone, will eliminate much of this and have other clockers and trainers who engaged in this deceit, shaking in their boots. Such a practice can cover up sore horses, afford a trainer an opportunity to have one claimed off consistent works alluding to soundness, permit a horse to run when they haven't posted a legitimate work in the legally permitted window after the last start.

[TJ]

David Wells one of the trainers arrested, was the trainer of Rapid Redux who won 22 straight races. TJ

[Whirlaway]

I did some research on the arrested trainers at The Thoroughbred Regulatory Rulings Site, http://www.thoroughbredrulings.com/default.asp, here is what I found:

Samuel E Webb: 63 Rulings / 8 Doping related

David J Welles: 27 Rulings / 7 Doping related

Patricia Rogers: Nothing*

* Thoroughbred Regulatory Rulings may not contain all rulings issued for all Thoroughbred trainers, all rulings issued for a specific Thoroughbred trainer, all rulings from all Racing Regulatory Authorities or all rulings from a specific Racing Regulatory Authority and may, in some cases, contain rulings related to a non-Thoroughbred.

~

Each defendant faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000.00 fine if convicted of wire fraud or attempted wire fraud. Each defendant faces an additional 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000.00 fine if convicted of using and attempting to use the intestate wire mechanism provided by the simulcasting of races to defraud or for attempting to defraud the public through the rigging of a publicly exhibited contest in violation of state law.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

[wgc517]

Question, does the betting public have a right to pursue a class action lawsuit against the track? If the clocker posted false times and the betting public used those times to bet doesn't that open them up for a major lawsuit?

What about horse owners who ran against the alleged doped horses? Do they not have rights? How many races and how many horses were in those races? I got to think it could be over 100 different owners that should feel like they were screwed out of a chance for a fair race. How do they get compensated?

Yes the arrest sends a message to others who may consider cheating however the casual better will see this and assume it is much deeper. All it does is hurt the sport that continues to struggle.

[TJ]

Question, does the betting public have a right to pursue a class action lawsuit against the track? If the clocker posted false times and the betting public used those times to bet doesn't that open them up for a major lawsuit?

What about horse owners who ran against the alleged doped horses? Do they not have rights? How many races and how many horses were in those races? I got to think it could be over 100 different owners that should feel like they were screwed out of a chance for a fair race. How do they get compensated?

Yes the arrest sends a message to others who may consider cheating however the casual better will see this and assume it is much deeper. All it does is hurt the sport that continues to struggle.

Hi wgc,
As far as the owners beaten out of purse money....unless the horse who beat them returned a positive test and was DQ'd from the purse money....there can be no purse re-distribution. These trainers were found with syringes and meds in the stall, but none were caught in the act and the horses never got to race. TJ

[wgc517]

TJ,

Appreciate your input. Do they test all winners of every race? What about 2nd and 3rd place?

Also the track should be held accountable for its clocker. It is their employee and it is their duty to make sure it doesn't get to the point it did.

Yes I am disgusted. This business is hard enough to succeed in and on top of it you have to deal with crap like this. Yes there are good people in horse racing but there are not enough. Too many people working too many angles..

thanks for letting me vent.

[Whirlaway]

Question, does the betting public have a right to pursue a class action lawsuit against the track? If the clocker posted false times and the betting public used those times to bet doesn't that open them up for a major lawsuit?

What about horse owners who ran against the alleged doped horses? Do they not have rights? How many races and how many horses were in those races? I got to think it could be over 100 different owners that should feel like they were screwed out of a chance for a fair race. How do they get compensated?

Yes the arrest sends a message to others who may consider cheating however the casual better will see this and assume it is much deeper. All it does is hurt the sport that continues to struggle.

Hi wgc,
As far as the owners beaten out of purse money....unless the horse who beat them returned a positive test and was DQ'd from the purse money....there can be no purse re-distribution. These trainers were found with syringes and meds in the stall, but none were caught in the act and the horses never got to race. TJ

TJ wrote:
These trainers were found with syringes and meds in the stall, but none were caught in the act and the horses never got to race.

The following excerpts taken from the indictments inform us, contrary to what has been written, that two of the trainers were indeed caught in the act "injecting or preparing to inject ..."


Case 1:13-cr-00266-WWC Document 1 Filed 11/20/13
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA V. SAMUEL WEBB

SAMUEL WEBB, having devised and intending to devise a scheme and artifice to defraud and for obtaining money and property by means of false and fraudulent pretense and representations, was observed in barn 17 of the stable area of Penn National Racetrack injecting or preparing to inject by needled syringe a hose named "Papaleo" . . .

Case 1:13-cr-00263-WWC Document 1 Filed 11/20/13
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA V. PATRICIA ANNE ROGERS

PATRICIA ANNE ROGERS, having devised and intending to devise a scheme and artifice to defraud and for obtaining money and property by means of false and fraudulent pretense and representations, was observed in barn 14 of the stable area of Penn National Racetrack injecting or preparing to inject by needled syringe a hose named "Strong Resolve" . . .

[TJ]

Question, does the betting public have a right to pursue a class action lawsuit against the track? If the clocker posted false times and the betting public used those times to bet doesn't that open them up for a major lawsuit?

What about horse owners who ran against the alleged doped horses? Do they not have rights? How many races and how many horses were in those races? I got to think it could be over 100 different owners that should feel like they were screwed out of a chance for a fair race. How do they get compensated?

Yes the arrest sends a message to others who may consider cheating however the casual better will see this and assume it is much deeper. All it does is hurt the sport that continues to struggle.

Hi wgc,
As far as the owners beaten out of purse money....unless the horse who beat them returned a positive test and was DQ'd from the purse money....there can be no purse re-distribution. These trainers were found with syringes and meds in the stall, but none were caught in the act and the horses never got to race. TJ

TJ wrote:
These trainers were found with syringes and meds in the stall, but none were caught in the act and the horses never got to race.

The following excerpts taken from the indictments inform us, contrary to what has been written, that two of the trainers were indeed caught in the act "injecting or preparing to inject ..."


Case 1:13-cr-00266-WWC Document 1 Filed 11/20/13
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA V. SAMUEL WEBB

SAMUEL WEBB, having devised and intending to devise a scheme and artifice to defraud and for obtaining money and property by means of false and fraudulent pretense and representations, was observed in barn 17 of the stable area of Penn National Racetrack injecting or preparing to inject by needled syringe a hose named "Papaleo" . . .

Case 1:13-cr-00263-WWC Document 1 Filed 11/20/13
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA V. PATRICIA ANNE ROGERS

PATRICIA ANNE ROGERS, having devised and intending to devise a scheme and artifice to defraud and for obtaining money and property by means of false and fraudulent pretense and representations, was observed in barn 14 of the stable area of Penn National Racetrack injecting or preparing to inject by needled syringe a hose named "Strong Resolve" . . .

Hi Whirl,
When you're right, you're right.....they may have been caught in the act, but the good news is the horses would have been scratched, so no change in purse structure in response to wgc's query. Trainers like this deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law....should be interesting since it isn't a normal case and should help in putting the fear of God in others willing to do the same thing. TJ

[Whirlaway]

Question, does the betting public have a right to pursue a class action lawsuit against the track? If the clocker posted false times and the betting public used those times to bet doesn't that open them up for a major lawsuit?

What about horse owners who ran against the alleged doped horses? Do they not have rights? How many races and how many horses were in those races? I got to think it could be over 100 different owners that should feel like they were screwed out of a chance for a fair race. How do they get compensated?

Yes the arrest sends a message to others who may consider cheating however the casual better will see this and assume it is much deeper. All it does is hurt the sport that continues to struggle.

Hi wgc,
As far as the owners beaten out of purse money....unless the horse who beat them returned a positive test and was DQ'd from the purse money....there can be no purse re-distribution. These trainers were found with syringes and meds in the stall, but none were caught in the act and the horses never got to race. TJ

TJ wrote:
These trainers were found with syringes and meds in the stall, but none were caught in the act and the horses never got to race.

The following excerpts taken from the indictments inform us, contrary to what has been written, that two of the trainers were indeed caught in the act "injecting or preparing to inject ..."


Case 1:13-cr-00266-WWC Document 1 Filed 11/20/13
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA V. SAMUEL WEBB

SAMUEL WEBB, having devised and intending to devise a scheme and artifice to defraud and for obtaining money and property by means of false and fraudulent pretense and representations, was observed in barn 17 of the stable area of Penn National Racetrack injecting or preparing to inject by needled syringe a hose named "Papaleo" . . .

Case 1:13-cr-00263-WWC Document 1 Filed 11/20/13
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA V. PATRICIA ANNE ROGERS

PATRICIA ANNE ROGERS, having devised and intending to devise a scheme and artifice to defraud and for obtaining money and property by means of false and fraudulent pretense and representations, was observed in barn 14 of the stable area of Penn National Racetrack injecting or preparing to inject by needled syringe a hose named "Strong Resolve" . . .

Hi Whirl,
When you're right, you're right.....they may have been caught in the act, but the good news is the horses would have been scratched, so no change in purse structure in response to wgc's query. Trainers like this deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law....should be interesting since it isn't a normal case and should help in putting the fear of God in others willing to do the same thing. TJ

[TJ]

As to Dr. Lyons....the litigation is still ongoing. There has been nothing adjudicated either for or against allegations from both sides. Please correct me if you have the trial transcript of adjudication. TJ
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s ... al-battle/
This is the latest, which has not been adjudicates:
http://www.kliemanlyons.com/wp-content/ ... -12192.pdf

[Sysonby]

TJ,

Appreciate your input. Do they test all winners of every race? What about 2nd and 3rd place?

Also the track should be held accountable for its clocker. It is their employee and it is their duty to make sure it doesn't get to the point it did.

Yes I am disgusted. This business is hard enough to succeed in and on top of it you have to deal with crap like this. Yes there are good people in horse racing but there are not enough. Too many people working too many angles..

thanks for letting me vent.

Vent away but IMO it's important that venting is not all anyone does or I really question why they follow the sport in the first place.

What is tested is generally state specific. In California in the races I have been in, it's the winners and a random. Personally I wish it were more stringent but there are budgeting issues.

Also, as far as clocking goes, this stuff simply doesn't happen at circuits with a bunch of private clockers selling their wares because it would be so obvious. It's also more of an art than a science at times. It sounds simple - just punch a button on a stop watch--but in reality there are sometimes awkward angles to catch, lots of horses, inclement weather and time measured in fifths. Something to keep in mind before posters go all conspiracy minded-people can make honest mistakes.

Really.

I applaud you TJ for trying to bring a voice of reason into this discussion.

[wgc517]

Sysonby,

Not sure if your response was directed at me but since you copied my response I will assume it is. You should read the whole post. My frustration comes from hearing people caught cheating again and again and it always seems that in the end nothing truly happens that curbs the issues. I race, I breed and for this stuff to keep happen makes me question whether or not I want to be in the business or not. That is my decision and mine alone so if I want to vent my frustrations it is my prerogative. TJ and I have been friends for a while and I respect his opinion more than most on this board. He was trying to help me understand the situation a little better and someone else corrected him and then went off on him. Such a shame that we cannot have a discussion without people jumping all over one another.

[Sysonby]

Sysonby,

Not sure if your response was directed at me but since you copied my response I will assume it is. You should read the whole post. My frustration comes from hearing people caught cheating again and again and it always seems that in the end nothing truly happens that curbs the issues. I race, I breed and for this stuff to keep happen makes me question whether or not I want to be in the business or not. That is my decision and mine alone so if I want to vent my frustrations it is my prerogative. TJ and I have been friends for a while and I respect his opinion more than most on this board. He was trying to help me understand the situation a little better and someone else corrected him and then went off on him. Such a shame that we cannot have a discussion without people jumping all over one another.

Obviously it is your prerogative but if I can make a suggestion-- news is sensational by nature. Because someone gets mugged in the NY subway does not mean the millions who use the transit system should stop doing so. The news business stopped being solely informative a long time ago. If the Feds truly swooped in and caught cheating in Pennsylvania (and all these are are allegations at the moment), it may mean less than nothing to the vast majority of people participating in racing across the country. Of course if someone doesn't feel they are getting a fair shake or having fun, they really shouldn't be plowing their money into this. But that is an individual decision to make based on how you feel about people and the business at your local racetrack.

Andy Beyer had a great observation in his first book--don't handicap with larceny in mind because it screws you up. You start handicapping the "fix" instead the races. The corollary to that --and it works for owners too--is that you have to accept responsibility for your own beats. That's how you get better at this.

Incidentally when Beyer wrote this there were some heavy duty scandals in NY racing --Cinzano and Lebon; Fat Tony Cuillo to name two. This stuff is weak tea next to that. But the premise is sound. I believe that the overwhelming majority of the races are honest and that's how I proceed. Your mileage obviously may vary.

[bdw0617]

something i've never told anyone on this forum.. well crystal knows this about me for obvious reasons i think that's it though, is that when i very first came to this forum, I was on federal pre trial. I was on federal pre trial until June 17th 2009. The company that I started and where i got most of my money from to do what i do now, there were some "issues" with my business partner that resulted in me being federally indicted. 56 counts of wire fraud and 1 count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. I still have the indictment somewhere around here it's a freaking book.


Now, obliviously i've never been to prison so obviously the charges got dropped. this is the reason i really got hooke don drugs, i couldn't handle the stress on this. I dabbled before this but this is what sent it on overdrive.


I say all that to say I have a very unique prespctive of the federal court systemn because I've been in it.


1. the charges wont' be anywhere near 25 years and a 500k file. The feds use a grading scale to figure out how much time that you do and the level of prison you go to, from boot camp to max.

If you don't have a history and your crime is not violent, you aren't going to grade out very high. In the newspapers when i got indicted they were saying 20 years and a 200k fine and i was scared shitless. they would have pled me out for 24 months at a minimum security prison still unlike state prison you have to do at leat 85% of that though. no 6 months and the rest probation you are doing every bit of that time in federal prison. I almost took it, even though I honestly thought iw as innocent. I just wanted to get it over with, I was 23 at the time, figured i'd be out when i was 25 and can move on with my life

2. when i met with the prosecutor and walked into the office the first time to meet with them, they literally, had a room full of boxes of shit from like, 4- years ago. they had my dad's financial records, my mom's financial records, my brothers, my partners sisters, they had pictures of my car, they had all types of shit that. they had been on us for a while. (the information they had though was pretty much all useless). my point being if they brought charges against them, they got what they want already. they don't build a case after they charge you like state does.


i would expect them to pled out very soon. Non financial crime related mattes in federal court have a 95% conviction rate.


my bet? the feds have been on the penn guys for at least. 6-9 months. and they have something they feel that is concrete enough to convict. at least. they just have been mum about it. and they got enough to make a very strong point. hopefully hte point hit home with the rest of racing.