Lisa Giannelli found guilty in doping scandal

The Thoroughbred Daily News (TDN) was the first to report that Lisa Giannelli of Felton, Delaware has been found guilty on one count of conspiracy to misbrand and adulterate drugs in the racehorse doping scandal that has rocked both the thoroughbred and harness racing industries.  She faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison when she goes before Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil on September 8, 2022.

In a strong rebuke of Ms. Giannelli’s defense, the jury deliberated for only two hours over a 2-day time period before finding her guilty.

They, the jury, did not believe her contention that she was “just an employee” trying to do her job for veterinarian Dr. Seth Fishman, who this past February was found guilty on two (2) of the same misbranding and adulteration conspiracy charges and is currently awaiting sentencing.

Although it was acknowledged that Dr. Fishman created and manufactured the drugs, the government charged that Ms. Giannelli was the “distributor” for the drugs Dr. Fishman created, and that it was she that distributed these illegal drugs to trainers and other individuals, who then administered these PED’s to gain an advantage in horse racing competitions.

Ms. Giannelli was in the courtroom when the verdict was read but it was said that she had no visible reaction.  She remains free on $10,000 bond.  Her defense attorney Louis Fasulo said, “I’m disappointed” and indicated that he intends to file a motion challenging the verdict.

Speaking after the verdict was announced, a juror, Joe Coughlan of Valley Cottage, NY, said that “The government’s case was very strong and that “I couldn’t see any other verdict but guilty.” He also offered that doping horses is “obviously not a good thing” and that, “That amounts to cheating”.  “It’s a sport and you’ve got bettors who are relying on everything being OK” so “You want things to be above board.  If they are not, what do you do?”

The FBI’s investigation into racehorse doping, according to TDN, has now led to the indictments of 31 defendants.  Fourteen (14) individuals have pled guilty which includes the two (2) former harness horse trainers Ross Cohen and Conor Flynn.  Two (2) defendants have deferred prosecution agreements.  The defendants with charges still pending include the prominent thoroughbred trainer Jason Servis whose horse Maximum Security won the Kentucky Derby in 2019 but was disqualified for interfering with another horse in the race.

Updates on the status of individuals indicted, but yet to go on trial, will continue to be posted as relevant information comes to light.

by Monica Bencal, for Harnesslink