Town striker Michael Chopra is amongst nine people to have been charged with fixing horse races by the British Horseracing Authority, along with his former Newcastle team-mate James Coppinger, who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest from Doncaster, and one-time Rovers midfielder Mark Wilson.
A statement on the BHA website reads: "Following an investigation into suspicious betting activity on a number of races, the British Horseracing Authority has charged nine individuals with serious breaches of the Rules of Racing.
"The allegations focus on horses being laid to lose on betting exchanges in races that took place between 1st November 2010 and 31st March 2011.
"Former licensed jockey Andrew Heffernan (who is currently licensed to ride in Australia) and eight unlicensed individuals (Rocky Michael Chopra, James Coppinger, Paul Garner, Kelly Inglis, Yogesh Joshee, Douglas Shelley, Pravin Shingadia and Mark Wilson) have all been charged with a breach of Rule (A)41.2 of the Rules of Racing in that they conspired with other persons to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice.”
The BHA statement specifically outlines the charges relating to Chopra: "Did Rocky Michael Chopra on, and/or before, the date of the races of Wanchai Whisper, Gallantry, and/or Silver Guest and/or in the period between 1st November 2010 and 31st March 2011 and/or in relation to the horses named in the appended table act in breach of Rule (A)41.2 in that he conspired with other persons to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice by placing bets and/or causing one or more other Betting Exchange account holders to place bets on the Horse Andrew Heffernan rode in the race using information he had received directly or indirectly from the Jockey or other licensed person relating to the prospects in the race of the named horse which was or included information (i) obtained by the Jockey or other licensed person in their capacity as licensed persons which was (ii) not publicly available or authorised for such disclosure by the Rules of Racing (‘Inside Information’), and knowing that (i) and (ii) were the case, and that such information would provide an unfair advantage in the betting market?
"In the period between 1st November 2010 and 31st March 2011 did Rocky Michael Chopra offer a bribe to Andrew Heffernan in breach of Rule (A)33.1.2."
The BHA's integrity, compliance and licensing director Paul Scotney said: "The charges BHA has issued are the result of a long and complicated investigation. This process has taken significant time and resources.
"However, investigations such as these are very similar to fraud investigations and as such are complex and time consuming.
"Furthermore, we encountered difficulties in obtaining telephone records from certain individuals who refused to co-operate. This resulted in us having to make a number of applications to the High Court for orders against their mobile telephone service providers for disclosure of the relevant records.
"We hope that the announcement demonstrates our commitment to deterring and detecting wrongdoing and taking action against those who we believe to have breached the rules.
"However, racegoers and those betting on British Racing should be reassured that instances of this nature are extremely rare and that the overwhelming majority of races are free of suspicion."
If found guilty Chopra will face a ban of three years or more from any involvement in racing including attending meetings. The FA are understood to have been informed but are believed unlikely to take any action during the BHA proceedings.
Town have said they will be releasing a statement regarding the charges facing the 28-year-old, who spent time in the Sporting Chance Clinic last season as he sought to deal with his long-standing gambling problem.
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