Dr. Seth Fishman gets 11 years in horse doping scandal

The Thoroughbred Daily News reported today (July 11) that Dr. Seth Fishman was sentenced to 11 years in prison for his conviction on two counts of conspiring to violate drug adulteration and misbranding laws. He faced a possible sentence up to 17 1/2 years in prison, but Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil gave him a sentence she felt was more in line with what others convicted in this case have received.

In addition to his prison time, Fishman will be held jointly responsible for $25 million in restitution along with all the others convicted as part of the federal doping trial, and must forfeit $13.5 million, which is what he earned from his business of manufacturing and distributing performance-enhancing substances designed to evade detection. Fishman’s sentencing also includes a $250,000 fine. The veterinarian showed no emotion while his sentence was pronounced.

Prior to sentencing, Fishman said: “I should have never pushed the envelope and helped trainers out. I have no desire to make another substance for a racehorse again.”

Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil said: “As a veterinarian, you enjoyed a special position of trust, and you abused that position of trust.”

Vyskocil said after she read the sentence that she hoped his punishment would provide a deterrent for others to stop doping racehorses.

From the Thoroughbred Daily News