Four veterinarians accused of administering drugs to Thoroughbred race horses within 24 hours of races at the Penn National Race Track in Grantville, Pennsylvania, have pleaded guilty to the charges against them.

On March 26, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania filed criminal charges against Kevin L. Brophy, DVM, of Annville, Pennsylvania; Fernando E. Motta, DVM, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Christopher G. Korte, DVM, of Pueblo, Colorado; and Renee D. Nodine, VMD, also of Annville. Each is charged with conspiring with trainers to administer the drugs in violation of the Pennsylvania criminal law that forbids the rigging of exhibited contests, administering drugs that do not have a valid prescription, and misbranding prescription animal drugs.

The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission later revoked the accused veterinarians’ racing licenses.

Dawn Mayko, spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Justice, said Brophy, Motta, and Korte pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan E. Schwab in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on April 14. Nodine pleaded guilty on April 13, Mayko said