PATCHOGUE, N.Y. – A published report says a number of entertainers have been named in connection with an Albany, N.Y.-based steroid investigation.
The Times Union of Albany newspaper cites unidentified sources in a Sunday report that R&B music star Mary J. Blige, rap musicians 50 Cent, Timbaland and Wyclef Jean, and award-winning author and producer Tyler Perry may have received or used performance enhancing drugs.
Albany District Attorney P. David Soares launched an investigation into steroid trafficking last year. Law enforcement officials have said evidence does not indicate that the celebrities broke the law. Officials are focusing on the doctors, pharmacists and clinics that provide the drugs.
Soares has declined to comment on or confirm the identities of the stars mentioned in the report. His multistate investigation has focused on Signature Pharmacy of Orlando, Fla. So far 10 defendants have pleaded guilty and some professional athletes have been linked to the probe in news reports.
Soares has said Signature was at the centre of a web of businesses and doctors that illegally wrote prescriptions for steroids. The investigation gained national attention in the U.S. almost a year ago when authorities raided Signature. The company’s owners and the pharmacy’s operators are awaiting trial in Albany on related charges.
Records shared with the Times Union and information from several cooperating witnesses on Long Island indicate the celebrities received prescribed human growth hormone or steroids. In some cases aliases were used for their delivery.
Former Sen. George Mitchell released his report last month on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.
The report said former Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski provided steroids and human growth hormone linked to several prominent players, including Roger Clemens, Paul Lo Duca, Mo Vaughn, Lenny Dykstra and Andy Pettitte. Radomski pleaded guilty last year to charges that he dealt steroids to players for a decade.
Hearings are set to begin this month in Congress on the Mitchell report.
