Tampa Bay Online reported that Richard Thomas, a man arrested in Florida for possession of anabolic steroids, bragged to authorities that he has sold the said performance-enhancing drugs to athletes of the Washington Capitals and Washington Nationals. According to the report, the investigators are still unsure if Thomas is telling the truth when he confessed that he is central Florida’s biggest steroid provider and even sold to professional athletes. Thomas however, did not drop the names of athletes. Thomas’ and his wife’s arrest was announced by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd in a news conference. Judd also added that detectives were able to seize a total of $200,000 worth of illegal steroids. Police are still wary about the pending further investigation because Thomas is not telling how many clients he had, or if he had the high-profile clients which he claims. No further evidence is present at this time to support Thomas’ statements.

“The only thing he said specifically was he sold to the Washington Capitals and the Washington Nationals,” Judd explained. “We asked him because we knew that would create a firestorm on two occasions because we don’t want to be quoted as saying that. Richard Thomas told us that he sold steroids to ballplayer on those teams. Now, is that one ballplayer? Or is it two ballplayers? We don’t know.”

Tampa Bay Online also reported that the couple is facing several charges including 10 counts of possession of anabolic steroids with the intent to sell and deliver, one count of possession of firearm in commission of a felony, 10 counts of importation of anabolic steroids into the state of Florida and a single count of maintaining residence for selling drugs. The report also disclosed that law enforcement officials are planning to investigate on the claims of Thomas that he indeed sold drugs to Capitals and Nationals and to other professional athletes as well.

Meanwhile, the National Hockey League and the Capitals released statements on the allegations of Thomas. The statement says that “the Washington Capitals have no knowledge on any aspect of this allegation. Capital players were subjected to no-notice testing three times in each of the past two seasons pursuant to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and there was no indication of any improper conduct or wrongdoing.”

Former Capitals defenseman Steve Eminger also reacted to Thomas’ claims. He played in Washington from 2002-2008 and is now a member of the Panthers and also had a short stint with the Lightning. “It’s pretty shocking. I never once heard—I’m not just talking about the Capitals, I’m talking about hockey in general,” he said.

Brook Laich, NHL Player’s Association representative for the Caps, on the other hand said that he had no idea of the steroids report. He is also not worried and does not think that any of the Caps’ guys have used steroids or have tested positive for it. Laich also added that he can honestly say that he has never seen a trace of steroids, from bantam to midget to junior. “I have never heard of a guy take a steroid, and I’ve never seen a guy take a steroid.”

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