Former UK professor files lawsuit after termination tied to equine drug testing lab
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A former University of Kentucky professor has filed a lawsuit against university officials and national horse racing regulators, alleging defamation and wrongful termination following his dismissal last month.
According to the complaint filed in Fayette Circuit Court, Dr. Scott Stanley — who previously directed UK’s Equine Analytical Chemistry Lab (EACL) — claims that university audit staff and the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) made false and misleading statements about his work. Stanley argues the reports damaged his professional reputation and led to the loss of his tenured faculty position.
In a statement, University of Kentucky spokesperson Whitney Siddiqi said:
“We are reviewing the contents of the lawsuit. The university terminated this individual following serious policy violations, findings affirmed by his peers, the equine industry and our Board of Trustees. Our investigation into this matter and the process to terminate followed strict protocols in accordance with the university’s Administrative Regulations. As this is pending litigation, we don’t have further comment at this time.”
The complaint seeks damages, attorney’s fees, and injunctive relief to prevent further publication of the contested audit and HIWU report.
UK announced earlier this month that Stanley had been dismissed after a yearlong tenure-revocation process. The university previously cited an internal audit that found misrepresentation of test results, governance failures, and undisclosed conflicts of interest.
The case is now pending in Fayette Circuit Court.
