Marshall Gramm, a horse owner and professor of economics at Rhodes College in Memphis, is facing a lifetime ban from the sport after being charged with fraud for "unauthorized access" to confidential horse health information, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority announced Aug. 17.
Gramm, a noted sports bettor, is being accused of "deliberately and methodically" using the HISA Portal to gain access to veterinary records and data on each of the nine horses he claimed during a period from early May to mid-June 2026. Those records "should only be accessible to the horses’ connections and Regulatory Veterinarians," according to HISA's press release.
Gramm took to social media to defend himself, posting a lengthy statement on X.
"I used my
own account and credentials and never attempted to conceal my identity or circumvent HISA's security," Gramm wrote. "Once logged into my account, I bypassed no security protocols or other safeguards to access the information."
HISA claims Gramm's actions were done "in a manner designed to mimic authorized activity to avoid detection by HISA’s security systems." HISA has also charged Gramm with participation in handicapping contests, engaging in pari-mutuel wagering and claiming multiple registered horses.
HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus likened Gramm's actions to "insider trading," during a press conference on Aug. 17.
"(Gramm) had access to information that nobody else did. He was able to use that information to monetize it," Lazarus told reporters.
HISA plans to seek restitution of any and all proceeds derived from such activities conducted during the relevant time period for the affected entities and individuals.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com, follow him @munzly on X.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Professor at Rhodes charged with 'fraud' by horse racing group, faces lifetime ban
