NY Penal Law § 180.50: Tampering with a sports contest in the second degree

It is against the law to influence the outcome of a sports event by tampering. Under New York Penal Law § 180.50, you could be charged with tampering with a sports contest in the second degree if with the intent to influence the outcome of a sports contest you tamper with any sports participant, sports official or with any animal or equipment or other thing involved in the conduct or operation of a sports contest in a manner contrary to the rules that govern such a contest. Under New York Penal Law § 180.35 a "sports contest" means any professional or amateur sport or athletic game or contest viewed by the public.

Alex Fiore was a race horse trainer who trained a horse known as Jack's Pet. Jack's Pet was running in the Belmont Stakes. Fiore was accused of throwing a battery device at Jack's Pet during the race. The battery device was designed to send a shock through the horse making it run faster. Fiore was charged with tampering with a sports contest. People v. Fiore, 445 N.Y.S.2d 960 (N.Y. Co. Ct., 1981)

1. Sports bribing: New York Penal Law § 180.40
2. Sports bribe receiving: New York Penal Law § 180.45
3. Impairing the integrity of a pari-mutuel betting system in the second degree: New York Penal Law § 180.52

In order to be guilty of tampering with a sports contest in the second degree your actions must have been with the intent to influence the outcome of the sports contest. If there was some other reason for your actions, or if your actions where accidental and not intentional, then you are not guilty of tampering with a sports contest in the second degree.

Tampering with a sports contest in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor. If you are convicted of this offense you could be sent to jail for up a year. You could also receive a probation sentence of up to 3 years and be required to pay a fine.

A person is guilty of tampering with a sports contest when, with intent to influence the outcome of a sports contest, he tampers with any sports participant, sports official or with any animal or equipment or other thing involved in the conduct or operation of a sports contest in a manner contrary to the rules and usages purporting to govern such a contest.

If you are under investigation for tampering with a sports contest in the first degree, it is important that you have experienced representation. Even though tampering with a sports contest in the second degree is a misdemeanor and not a felony a conviction is still quite serious. The staff at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC has years of experience successfully defending clients in New York criminal courts who are accused of various types of crimes. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We serve those accused of crimes in the following locations: