bit of Orwellian irony that name is!) fined veterinarian Louis Grasso $5,000 for multiple violations, including those related to the illegal sale of anabolic steroids, and suspended his license for 2 years. But when Grasso didn't pay the fines, the government bent over backwards to cut him slack and give him more time to pay the fine.
On two occasions in 1991, and one occastion in 1993, Grasso sold $2,000, $5,000, and $53,000 worth of anabolic steroids, respectively, to DEA undercover agents while he was licensed as a veterinarian in New York. Grasso pled guilty in district court (in NY) to charges related to the illegal distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Grasso was also licensed in Conntecticut. Although Connecticut also revoked his license, as is usually the case with veterinary boards and veterinarians, they immediately "stayed" the revocation. They did instead suspend Grasso's license for 2 years and fine him the $5,000.
Grasso was given 6 months to pay the $5,000 fine. But when Grasso called the Vet Board and said he couldn't pay the fine by the deadline, they entered into a consent agreement with him which allowed him not to pay anything on the fine until September 1994 -- about 1 year after the original fine. They also allowed him to pay on a schedule or installment plan.
As soon as his suspension period was over, Grasso notified the Vet Board (in October 1995) that he intended to begin practicing veterinary medicine again.
His listed address of practice was 19 Dingee Road, South Salem, New York, 10590.
He is listed with the Golden Shoe Training Center in New York, a "standard bred training facility" for horses:
http://www.goldenshoetrainingcenter.com/goldenshoeservicesoffered.html
But the New York State Racing and Wagering Board don't seem too keen to see him involved in their business. In their September 22, 2005 minutes, they said:
" 1. IN THE MATTER OF DR. LOUIS GRASSO, JR.
On September 22, 2005, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board approved Hearing Officer Russell H. Baller, Jr.’s recommendation that the refusal to license Dr. Louis Grasso, Jr. to participate in pari-mutuel harness racing as a veterinarian applicant be upheld. The refusal was based upon the finding that Dr. Grasso’s experience, character and general fitness are such that his participation in racing is inconsistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity, or with the best interests of racing generally. "
(*Emphasis added)
To read, see http://www.racing.state.ny.us/bmeetings/pastminutes/2005/092205.htm
