After rocking the professional world sports, an Albany-based probe into steroids trafficking has now turned to some well-known celebrities from the entertainment industry who are among tens of thousands of people that may have used or received prescribed shipments of steroids and injectable human growth hormone in recent years.
New York, January 14 : After rocking the professional world sports, an Albany-based probe into steroids trafficking has now turned to some well-known celebrities from the entertainment industry who are among tens of thousands of people that may have used or received prescribed shipments of steroids and injectable human growth hormone in recent years.
Sources have revealed that R and B star Mary J. Blige, rappers 50 Cent, Timbaland and Wyclef Jean, and award-winning author-producer Tyler Perry are the names that have emerged during the investigation. Law enforcement officials, however, admit that they do not have any evidence to prove that these celebrities have violated any laws, reports the Times Union.
They say that they are instead investigating anti-aging clinics, doctors, and pharmacists who prescribed the drugs.
Records reviewed by the newspaper suggest that Blige and the other stars received prescriptions that were allegedly signed by Dr. Gary Brandwein, a South Florida osteopath who has pleaded not guilty in Albany to a felony indictment charging him with various drug-related crimes.
Brandwein, through his attorney, Terence Kindlon, refused to comment on the issue.
The Albany investigation began last February when authorities raided a Palm Beach County wellness centre, and the offices of Signature Compounding Pharmacy in downtown Orlando.
The wellness centre's owners and the pharmacy's operators are awaiting trial on charges related to the sale of millions of dollars worth of prescription drugs through a suspected criminal enterprise.
ANI