Hacking charges have been filed against a former racing participant in New York State. It has been alleged that the individual that is facing the allegations illegally accessed a racing organization’s computer system 170 times over a 15-month period.

According to a joint release from Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, former jockey agent Manuel ‘Mike’ Gonzalez, 52, of Ocenport, New Jersey, has been charged with illegally accessing the New York Racing Association’s (NYRA) computer system by using the login and passwords of a NYRA employee whom he allegedly paid $100 a month for his online information.

“The defendant is accused of ‘hacking’ into the racing association’s computer system and illegally trolling for valuable racetrack-related data that he could use to his own advantage to secure horses for his jockey,” Brown was quoted as saying. “In today’s computerized world, cyber break-ins are a growing threat and will be dealt with in an appropriate manner when uncovered.”

“The State Police treat computer crimes like every other crime – those who break the law will be held accountable,” New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico was quoted as saying. “Gaining unauthorized access to a computer network is a serious crime and we will work aggressively to solve each case.”

Gonzalez was arraigned on Monday, January 25 in Queens Criminal Court on a criminal complaint charging him with 170 counts of computer trespass and 170 counts of second-degree tampering with a sports contest. If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison.

The investigation, which is continuing, was conducted by the New York State Police.

(With files from Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown and the New York State Police)