New York man charged with stealing then selling equine medication

Federal authorities have charged a New York man of stealing equine pharmaceutical products from his workplace and reselling them to veterinarians and trainers.

Gregory Settino, 58, was charged with theft of medical products and making a false statement to a federal agent. He was arrested on Thursday, pleaded not guilty during his initial arraignment, and was released on a $250,000 bond, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

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In an indictment, Settino was accused of stealing “thousands” of bottles of Adequan from American Regent, where he worked as a supervisor, and sold the bottles for “more than $600,000.” The indictment alleges that the medication was sold “to horse trainers and veterinarians at New York tracks, including Belmont Park.”

Adequan is an FDA-approved medication used to treat degenerative joint disease, and it is commonly administered to horses with lameness, arthritis, or injuries. It is also used to treat similar ailments in other animals.

In a release, prosecutors allege that “Settino’s conduct endangered the health of horses because the drugs were not maintained, stored or transported in accordance with proper procedures for ensuring the safety, effectiveness, and efficacy of the drugs.” The prosecutors also allege that he told an FDA Special Agent that he had stolen “fewer than 100 bottles” of Adequan, which the prosecutors say was a false statement.

Settino’s attorney, Anthony Grandinette, told the New York Post that his client “denies the allegations against him and looks forward to a favorable resolution on the merits of the case in the future.”