The latest blow to the credibility of the law enforcement agencies in the country is the alleged involvement of several FBI agents in the use of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone. Though this may just be a simple case of violation of organizational policy, this would show that the use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs is also a problem of the government not just by sports organizations.

Three FBI agents and one FBI analyst appeared in U.S. District Court in Washington on Wednesday to answer the charges filed against them. The case is handled by U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah A. Robinson. The FBI conducted a thorough investigation when they found out that the employees did not disclosed their use of steroids and hgh in their yearly fitness reports which is required by the bureau.

The FBI Deputy Director Timothy Murphy issued a statement to the media that they are still continuing the investigation and fully cooperating with government prosecutors. “FBI employees must be held to the highest standards of ethical conduct. When this information came to our attention, a thorough investigation was initiated which led to today’s charges,” said Murphy.

This case could lead to a more complex investigation as initial court records showed that the doctor who allegedly prescribes the steroids and growth hormones to these officers signed more than 5000 prescriptions since September 2005. A laboratory which conducted the tests for more than 300 patients may also be held liable if the results were tampered.

FBI special agent Matthew Litton works in the agency’s Critical Incident Response Group and Katia Litton is a special agent in the Washington field office. The couple, who are married, was accused of buying steroids and hgh worth $17,000 since 2006. Katia was a former professional bodybuilder and competed in 2000.

An intelligence analyst in the FBI’s counter-terrorism division was also charged. Court records said that Ali Sawan purchased steroids and human growth hormone more than 90 times between November 2007 and January 2010. Special Agent James Barnett who also works in the Washington office was also charged with steroids and hgh use. Barnett together with the couple received fake diagnosis for pituitary dwarfism and panhypopituitarism. Agent Barnett also spent more than $10,000 for laboratory tests, purchases of steroids and hgh and other medical related expenses between October 2008 and January 2010.

A doctor who was describe as a part time emergency physician for a health center in the area and another gynecologist were unnamed in the affidavits. The agent’s doctor allegedly offered hormone modulation therapy to treat hormone and testosterone deficiencies as part of his services.

The FBI agents were released on their own recognizance but they were required to undergo drug test, give up passports and any weapons issued to them, and have to stay within 50 miles of their homes. The hearing is set on October 5.

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