Former operator and owner of College Pharmacy in Colorado Springs and licensed pharmacist, Thomas Bader, was convicted in a federal court in Denver last week on thirty-one counts related to the distribution and importation of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone manufactured in China. The conviction was announced by United States Attorney David M. Gaouette, concluding the trial against the pharmacist that began on January 4, 2010. The jury deliberated the case for three days and found Bader guilty of two counts of conspiracy and twenty-seven counts of distribution of human growth hormones.

Evidence presented
At the trial, evidence was presented showing that Bader used the College Pharmacy to receive human growth hormone that had been smuggled into the US from China and distributed these, as well as anabolic steroids (testosterone), to customers from around the country. Evidence was further established that the anabolic steroids often went to bodybuilders without a legitimate prescription from a physician, thereby making these transactions illegal. The jury disagreed with Bader in his contention that the illegal drugs he distributed were not subject to FDA approval due to the lax restrictions on particular compounded drugs. Bader managed to distribute the illegal drugs to physicians in Florida, Illinois, Indiana and Georgia between April 2004 and February 2007.

Two counts of conspiracy
Bader was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy; one of these counts stated that Bader (and company) conspired to facilitate the sale and distribution of misbranded human growth hormone made in China, which was not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and with the knowledge that the importation of the drugs was in violation of the law in the United States. The other count stated that Bader engaged in a conspiracy “to manufacture, distribute, dispense and possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids.”

Twenty-seven counts of HGH distribution
Of the twenty-seven counts charged against Bader for the distribution of human growth hormones, twenty-three of these charges were about the human growth hormones distributed by Bader went to minors. The jury also found Bader guilty of one count of the facilitation of the sale of smuggled human growth hormone as well as guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute HGH. Bader was found ‘not guilty’ of the charge against him that he received smuggled goods directly.

Assets forfeited
In addition to the verdict, the jury also found it right that the state should forfeit Bader’s assets, including the 4.8 million land where his pharmacy is located (at 3505 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs).

Sentence hearing
After all the verdicts have been returned, U.S. District Judge Marcia Krieger increased the bond for Bader and scheduled a hearing for his sentencing, which was to be held at 1:00 p.m. on April 29, 2010. The case was prosecuted by the Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory Rhodes and Jaime Peña and was investigated by the Office of Criminal Investigations of the Food and Drug Administration. Gregory Rhodes is the deputy chief of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force while Jaime Peña is the health care and fraud coordinator at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Manny Pacquiao firmly claims that he is drug-free and that he feels bad and really disappointed about the steroids allegations against him. He adds that he sacrificed and trained hard for what he has achieved in boxing and feels hurt about these malicious insinuations. He further says that he doesn’t even know and has no idea what a steroid is in the first place.

Pacquiao, who is rated by Ring Magazine as the number 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world, is currently training at the Wild Card gym, owned by his trainer, Freddie Roach, and will be fighting against Joshua Clottey at the Cowboys stadium on March 13. Initially, Pacquiao was supposed to go against Floyd Mayweather Jr. for this fight but after Mayweather’s camp demanded that both boxers undergo Olympic-style steroids testing before the fight, Pacquiao’s camp retaliated. This kind of testing includes random urine and blood tests and Pacquiao stated that he did not want to take blood tests close to a fight (as this weakens him).

The Pacquiao steroid rumor started when Floyd Mayweather Sr. commented in public that Pacquiao must be “on something,” to be so unbeatable, insinuating that he must be on steroids. Pacquiao answered back that he understands if Mayweather Jr. can’t say out right that he doesn’t want and isn’t ready to fight, and has to make these alibis just to cancel the fight. When asked whether Pacquiao was angry with Mayweather, Pacquiao said that he wasn’t necessarily angry, only that he felt bad that Mayweather did not want to fight him and had to make a lot of alibis and allegations that can ruin his name. Because of this, Pacquiao filed a lawsuit against the Mayweathers, as well as their promoter Richard Schaefer and Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions. Pacquiao further said that if Mayweather is everything that he says he is, then he wouldn’t have come up with these demands in the first place. “If you are a true champion,” Pacquiao said, “no alibis, just fight.”

The Boxing Writers Association of America recently chose Pacquiao as Fighter of the Year and Fighter of the Decade. Pacquiao said that when he heard this, he was happy that there are a lot of people who believed in his capabilities and achievements in boxing. For him, he said, it is boxing and God. He further said that he believes that what he has done in boxing is because of his sacrifices and his faith in God.

Pacquiao is still open to fight with Mayweather, saying that this remains a possibility. Although he said that the fight won’t push through if Mayweather sticks to his Olympic-style testing provisions. Pacquiao said that he agrees to blood testing one month before the fight and another right after the fight. He also agrees to random urinalysis. Coach Freddie Roach says that he feels Mayweather is doing all these to make the fight bigger, because he is that crazy. He further noted that they will not give in to Mayweather’s demands unless it is under the orders of the commission.

James Alexander Lockyear, an Essex based veterinarian, was charged by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for two charges related to a steroid drugs offence and a misconduct. A locum at the St. Runwald’s Surgery in Colchester, Lockyear is a graduate of Pretoria University in South Africa. He was to be tried by the disciplinary committee last Wednesday for trying to obtain steroids dishonestly. He tried to obtain steroids from a pharmacist saying that the drug, which can be used for bodybuilding, was going to be used for surgery when in fact, the procedure did not require the drugs and was not even appropriate for vet practice. Lockyear did not attend the hearing. The London committee said that his absence “did not draw any adverse inference.”

Inappropriate conduct

Lockyear was also charged for “inappropriate and unprofessional behavior.” The committee heard that Lockyear allegedly placed the testicle of a castrated dog inside his mouth and had shown an offensive picture stored on his mobile phone to another staff member. A witness also testified that Lockyear misused an endotracheal tube, which is used for inserting into the trachea to ensure that the windpipe is not closed off and air can freely reach the lungs. All the aforementioned incidents took place between April 2008 and September 2009; at that time James Lockyear was a practicing temp at the Colchester surgery.

Pharmacist’s testimony

A pharmacist testified against Lockyear and was heard by the committee. He said that Lockyear presented an incomplete veterinary prescription for 12 ampoules of Sustanon, an injectable oil-based blend of esterized testosterone compounds: 30 mg Testosterone Propionate, 60mg testosterone Phenylpropionate, 60mg Testosteron Isocaproate, and 100 mg Testosterone Decanoate. Sustanon is a prescription-only anabolic steroids intended for use by humans. A second pharmacist suspected (and was also heard by the committee) that the steroids were for Lockyear’s personal use.

“Disgusting and offensive”

The committee was gravely concerned about the incident regarding the second charge. They said that Lockyear’s behavior of playing with the dog’s testicles offended against his duty to treat all animals, which were his patients, with respect. The committee further described his behavior to be “unprofessional, juvenile, inappropriate, disgusting and offensive.” However, the committee felt that the incident was not done maliciously and because it was not done in the presence of a client or member of the public, it did not amount to disgraceful conduct in professional terms.

Abuse of authority

While this was a one-off incident, committee chair Alison Bruce contended that Lockyear’s behavior and conduct “falls far short of that which is expected of a member of the profession.” She also said that what Lockyear did involved serious dishonesty and that it represented an abuse of a vet surgeon’s authority to prescribe medicines. Even though Lockyear did not attend the hearing, the committee found him guilty of attempting to obtain prescription drugs dishonestly. His name was consequently removed from the register of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

The 5-time bodybuilding champion of Australia was recently sentenced by the magistrate court for selling illegal anabolic steroids. Angelo Galati who is also popular as “Mr. Bench” was charged with trafficking anabolic steroids, possessing a drug of dependance and receiving and possessing the proceeds of a crime. He pleaded guilty for the offenses. The bodybuilder received a 12-month intensive corrections order for all the charges. Aside from the jail term, he will also undergo regular test for drugs and alcohol. Confiscated steroids and other drugs including the cash found in his home were also forfeited.

Many people were surprised on his involvement in the illegal trade of steroids. He was known for his clean image in the bodybuilding world. He is working as a hairdresser and as a personal trainer. Even at the age of 40, he is still active in bodybuilding competitions. His moniker as “Mr Bench” was due to his bench-pressing world records which he broke several times. The age did not limit the bodybuilder champ to lift weights more than what younger bodybuilders can do. In 2008, Galati won the title of Mr. Australia when he competed in the International Federation of Bodybuilding competition. He won the title for the fifth time. He is also active in organizing competitions and trainings for the inmates of the Hobart’s Risdon Prison.

Based on the report of Adrian Ballantyne of WhereILive.com.au, authorities searched his home in North Rd in Bentleigh East where several anabolic steroids and cash were found. There were at least 6500 anabolic steroid tablets, 16 vials of liquid and $16,835 in cash were seized during the raid on September 2008. Court records showed that the steroids were hidden in the different locations at his home. Some were found in the bedrooms while other drugs and cash were found in the kitchen. According to prosecutor Stephen McGinness, a further search at the bodybuilder’s home helped the authorities to located a metal tin which contained $16,335 in cash and various papers listing amounts sold and received.

Meanwhile, Curtis Wenzlaff, the controversial bodybuilder and trainer of most professional athletes in the MLB and NFL said that he is looking for a publisher of his steroid tell-all book. There is no timetable yet as to when it will be published. Wenzlaff was convicted for his illegal distribution of steroids in California thru Operation Equine by the FBI. He recently confirmed to the media that he gave Mark McGwire cocktails of steroids to enhance his performance. “It must be understood. I was a professional trainer, I was not a drug dealer. I sold my services. My clients were professional athletes and actors,” Wenzlaff said in an interview. As a professional trainer and bodybuilder, Wenzlaff uses high-intensity weightlifting routines, including the use of cattle prods and sensory deprivation tanks. Part of his training regimen on professional athletes was giving different combination of steroids.

The dilemma of Olympian sprinter Crystal Cox will continue as the Olympic organization and the International Association of Athletics Federations looks into her case. Cox was already handed 4-year ban and was stripped off her medals when the US Anti-Doping Agency accused her of using a banned substance. Although the sprinter said thru email that she never used anabolic steroids and was only forced to sign the suspension because of the threat of a lifetime ban in athletics.

Cox will be facing a tougher investigation when the International Olympic Committee and the International Association of Athletics Federations conduct their separate investigation on the case. This will be another blow to the US athletics since the investigation will focus not only on Cox but to the entire national relay team. IOC spokesman Mark Adams said in an interview that the IOC is looking into the file and considering setting up a disciplinary commission. The olympic body previously stripped off the medals of the US national relay team in 2000 Sydney Games.

The admission of sprinter Marion Jones that she used steroids during the Sydney Olympic caused the entire team to lose their medals. The gold medals in the 4×400 relay and bronze in the 4×100 relay were forfeited by the olympic organization. However, the other team members of the relay team appealed their case in the Court of Arbitration for Sport. They argued that they were not involved or used any banned substances when participated in the Sydney games. The Court of Arbitration for Sport is due to decide on the appeal this year.

The US men’s relay team also suffered the same fate when they were stripped off their gold medals in the 4×400 relay. Sprinters Antonio Pettigrew and Jerome Young admitted that they used steroids.

The investigation may be shelved for a moment because the IOC and IAAF are still waiting for the results of the appeal of the U.S. women’s relay team. According to IAAF spokesman, Nick Davies, the issue will be examined by the IAAF’s ruling council at its meeting in Doha, Qatar, in March. This will be discussed during the world indoor championships.

The international rules states that doping of one member will also cause the disqualification for the entire team. The IOC can also impose punishment retroactively. The medals of sprinters Sanya Richards, Dee Dee Trotter, Monique Henderson, Monique Hennegan and Moushaumi Robinson could be forfeited if the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejects the appeal of the Sydney relay team. The gold medals will be awarded to Russia and the bronze medals will go to Jamaica who ranked 3rd in the event.

After admitting her steroid use, Olympian Crystal Cox made a different statement in an email sent to friends and family members. She said that she never used steroids but her association with other athletes and trainers involved in steroids may be the factor why she was given a 4-year suspension. The US anti Doping Agency did not only give the 4 year ban but at the same time stripping off Cox with her medals from 2001 to 2004. It was the period where she allegedly used performance enhancing drugs. This will include the medal she won in the 2004 Athens Olympics in the 1,600-meter relay

In the published article of Earl Vaughan Jr. of fayobserver.com, Cox said that the current penalty she faces is the result of guilt by association. She insists that she never used anabolic steroids but confirms in her email that she was caught with a banned substance in 2002. Ephedrine was found in her system after taking the non-prescription antihistamine Benadryl. She stressed that she was already given warning for that offense and disqualified from the event that she won.

Crystal Cox wrote that words cannot express the devastation she have been going through since the news broke, and not because she knows in her heart that she’s innocent, but because in some way, shape or form, each and every one have been affected by this issue. She said that she was approached by USADA few months ago about her alleged steroid use.

“Many athletes before me were engulfed in the BALCO scandal,” she said. “Their coach and my former coach were associated with each other, to some extent. Because of that, the court of arbitration has come to the conclusion that I, too, was involved with the many track and field doping scandals,” added Cox.

Based on the account of Cox, the US anti-doping representatives contacted her lawyer and gave her two options, its either a 4 year ban or a lifetime ban if she will not sign the sanction. “I fought as long as I could, and tearfully signed the sanction, accepting the four-year ban, but knowing in my heart and every fiber of my being I was innocent.” Cox considers the lifetime ban as a worst consequence that’s why she gave in to the 4 year sanction.

She concluded in her email how she loves the sport and thank those people who have given her support and believe in her. “I have grown up in the sport,” she said. “It has been good to me, and I hope one day to become a phenomenal coach to help and inspire other athletes to reach and follow their dreams. Thank you, and I hope that in time, the world will see and the truth will prevail,” Cox said.