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.

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