A Harrisburg Grand Jury indicted a local Thoroughbred horse trainer on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy.
The five-count indictment was handed down against Murray Rojas, of Grantville, Pennsylvania, for her alleged conduct related to 11 races in which she had horses entered at Penn National Race Course in early 2013.
Court documents allege Rojas, who is also a Board Member of the Pennsylvania Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA), directed and conspired with veterinarians to administer her horses illegal substances on race days. They then concealed the drug use by backdating invoices for the sale and administration of the drugs, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Rojas allegedly submitted fake vet treatment reports to the state’s racing commission. The purse money for the races is funded by the interstate electronic transfer of funds. Transmission of these funds are used to pay successful owners and trainers is essential to the alleged scheme to defraud.
The indictment states Rojas obtained winnings totaling more than $52,000 from the races in which her horses were allegedly drugged.
If found guilty, Rojas faces a maximum penalty of up to 20-years in prison on each count, supervised release and a fine.
