A New York judge Feb. 24 put off until early next year Jason Servis' trial in a horse doping conspiracy case that the federal government brought in 2020 against the prominent trainer and more than two dozen others.
U.S. District Court Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil had hoped to try Servis in the fall with several other defendants who have been charged in the sweeping case and, like Servis, claim they are innocent. The judge said the Servis trial will now take place in the first quarter or 2023 along with that of veterinarian Alexander Chan.
At a status conference, Vyskocil blamed the postponement on the courthouse's coronavirus restrictions that have made it more difficult to schedule trials in a timely manner. When scheduling criminal trials preference goes to defendants awaiting trial behind bars. Servis and Chan are free on bond.
Servis' attorney Rita Glavin also asked the judge to wait to try the case until next year because of a scheduling conflict. She said she will be busy this summer defending former President Donald Trump's former chief financial officer against fraud charges in New York State court.
"It's a complicated tax trial," she said.
Glavin said that after that case is over it will take her another three months to get up to speed to prepare for defending Servis.
The lawyer told Vyskocil that Servis was willing to wait another 10 months or so for his day in court.
"He's well aware of the issues," the attorney said.
A federal prosecutor told Vyskocil that the government agreed to wait to try Servis.
Servis has been accused of administering performance-enhancing drugs to horses under his care to boost his chances of winning big races and big purses.
Prosecutors allege that among the horses Servis drugged was Maximum Security , a four-time grade 1 winner who was disqualified for interference after finishing first in the 2019 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
Servis didn't attend the conference, having waived his appearance.
Chan also wasn't present having done the same.
His lawyer participated in the conference as did the lawyers for Lisa Giannelli, Erica Garcia, and Michael Tannuzzo, who are also awaiting trial in the case. All three also waived their appearances.
Vyskocil ordered Giannelli to trial in May or June. Giannelli was a sales representative for veterinarian Seth Fishman who was found guilty Feb. 2 of conspiring to violate misbranding and adulteration laws.
Giannelli went on trial with Fishman but at the midway point her case ended in a mistrial after her attorney tested positive for COVID-19.
Vyskocil ordered Garcia, a veterinarian, and Tannuzzo to stand trial around September.
Tannuzzo worked for trainer Jorge Navarro who was charged in the horse doping case and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced in December to five years in prison.
Vyskocil said of the new trial time frames that they "are firm."
"You are committed," she said.
