Veterinary Medical Board hears petition from suspended racetrack veterinarian seeking early probation termination

SACRAMENTO — The Veterinary Medical Board of California on Jan. 16 heard a petition from veterinarian Dr. Jeff Blea asking the board to end or modify the probation that was imposed under a stipulated settlement effective Sept. 21, 2022.

Administrative Law Judge Marcy Larson of the Office of Administrative Hearings presided over the petition hearing and explained procedures to board members and the petitioner. Deputy Attorney General Stephanie Alamo Latif presented the board’s evidence and explained she was “appearing on behalf of the attorney general” and that her role was “not adversarial, but intended to protect the public interest.” Larson repeatedly reminded the petitioner that he bore the burden of proof for early termination or modification of probation.

The petition concerns board case number 4602021001570 and OAH case number 2024120602. As recited into the record by the deputy attorney general, a first amended accusation was filed Feb. 11, 2022, and an ex parte interim suspension order was first granted Jan. 3, 2022 (followed by a noticed interim suspension order on Jan. 28, 2022). The board adopted a stipulated settlement effective Sept. 21, 2022, placing the license on three years’ probation; the projected probation…