Dr. Ramon Scruggs who became famous for his involvement in professional sports like bodybuilding and baseball finally pleaded guilty for illegal distribution of anabolic steroids, smuggling human growth hormones and money laundering. He was mentioned in the controversial Mitchell Report. Scruggs who is already 61 years old is practicing his profession for more than 26 years but was involve in medical malpractice. According to court records, Scruggs distributed and prescribed drugs to patients from 2000 to 2003 even without medical justification. The DEA said that Dr. Scruggs knew that his prescription of anabolic steroids and HGH without medical need can be used by his patients for performance enhancement.

Under the plea agreement, the doctor admitted to distributing 250 to 1,000 vials of anabolic steroids. He also admitted to prescribing anabolic steroid testosterone to a patient in Santa Clara County in May 17, 2003. Moreover, Scruggs admitted to asking other people to help him distribute the drugs. In one instance, he asked someone to transfer $3,605 from his account to China for the payment of HGH purchase.

The Medical Board of California revoked his medical license in 2007 after complaints that he issued prescriptions to patients and clients even without seeing them in person. He allegedly set up a website in 1999 where he gave prescriptions for hormone replacement therapy and anabolic steroids, which were used to increase muscle mass, strength and endurance. For almost 9 years, he was able to issue 6,073 prescriptions for various clients.

According to the Medical Board, the doctor “committed acts and/or omissions constituting gross negligence in his evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, medication, monitoring, record keeping, advice, care and handling,” of several patients. Aside from the revocation of his license, a fine of $4,800 was imposed on him including the enrollment in classes regarding practices in prescribing drugs, keeping medical records, and ethics.

Some of the patients of Dr. Scruggs developed some complications because of his practice of prescribing through the telephone and without physical examination. The Orange County Register identified some of these patients. A man named Eric M. of Florida consulted Scruggs thru phone about his intention to increase his weight from 175 to 220lbs. The doctor prescribed several drugs but Eric stopped taking these medications when there was no positive result. Eric developed two benign tumors according to the report.

A patient from New York City, named Bruce R. was able to get prescriptions fro weight gain from Dr. Scruggs without an examination. He prescribed anabolic steroids and testosterone even the patient had a history of hypertension. Based on the records, the use of testosterone and anabolic steroids in a patient with hypertension is dangerous since they may exacerbate hypertension and cause fluid retention.

Another patient who suffered from high fat levels in the blood was able to get steroids prescriptions after a phone consultation with Dr. Scruggs. This practice will place the patient at a substantial risk of cardiovascular disease, according to records.

Other sports personalities who were also included in the long list of clients of Dr. Scruggs include Troy Glaus, Scott Shoeneweis, and Todd Greene, just name a few. The doctor pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids and HGH which he faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in jail and $250,000 fine. He also pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering with a maximum penalty of 20 years. His sentencing is scheduled on September 14.

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