Scottsdale Doc linked to steroids

[cb25]

From azcentral.com






Valley doctor tied to steroid ring

Non-practicing physician caught up in federal inquiry

Ken Alltucker
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 24, 2007 12:00 AM
Nearly a year after federal investigators intercepted a shipment of human growth hormone at the Scottsdale home of a former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher, a Valley doctor has been linked to the federal investigation into the use and sale of performance-enhancing drugs.

Court documents indicate that Dr. David Wilbirt, who had a small practice in Scottsdale, was part of a nationwide steroid distribution ring that supplied bodybuilders and professional wrestlers with steroids and human growth hormone.

Wilbirt follows former Diamondbacks reliever Jason Grimsley as a major Valley name to be linked to the investigation. Law enforcement agencies from New York to Florida to Arizona and elsewhere are conducting multiple investigations into the sale and distribution of performance-enhancing drugs.
Prosecutors describe a ring that links anti-aging clinics, rogue doctors and athletes and others seeking prescriptions via the Internet.

While high-profile athletes such as former boxing champ Evander Holyfield, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. and retired slugger Jose Canseco have brought significant attention to the investigation, law enforcement and prosecutors insist the purpose of the investigation is to break up the drug distribution channels.

Wilbirt has not been charged with any crimes, but federal drug investigators in Phoenix say he remains under investigation.

Drug Enforcement Administration agents raided his Tempe home in 2005 and seized patient files, suspected drugs, cash and nearly $30,000 in gold and silver coins.

It's unclear what federal investigators are doing with the information gathered during the raid.

Ramona Sanchez, a DEA spokeswoman in Phoenix, said the investigation is ongoing.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Phoenix, as a matter of policy, does not comment or confirm ongoing investigations, spokesman Wyn Hornbuckle said.

Wilbirt could not be reached. Candace Toler, who lives with Wilbirt in Tempe, said he is still recovering from a stroke he suffered two years ago.

Wilbirt's lawyer said he doesn't know whether the feds plan to pursue charges against his client.

"There are a lot of issues involved in this case that involve continuing investigations," said Dave Derickson, who represents Wilbert. "I am not totally sure about the status of the investigation. I know it is not a good idea to comment on continuing investigations. My client is not indicted and I prefer keeping it that way."

Last week, Sports Illustrated reported that Wilbirt has been linked to supplying steroids to big-time pro wrestlers, including Olympic gold medalist turned wrestler Kurt Angle; Oscar Gutierrez, who wrestles under the name Rey Mysterio; and Eddie Guerrero, a former Scottsdale resident who died in November 2005 in a Minneapolis hotel room.

The magazine reports on its Web site that Wilbirt was billed for the hormone hCG and the steroid stanozolol, performance-enhancing drugs shipped to Guerrero.

Guerrero, known as "Latino Heat" on the World Wrestling Entertainment tour, died of heart disease, compounded by an enlarged heart because of a history of steroid use.

The federal government investigated Wilbirt from 2001 through 2005, alleging that he wrote nearly 3,900 inappropriate prescriptions during one six-month period alone.

The medical board initiated an investigation in March 2005 after receiving a tip that he prescribed drugs through an out-of-state pharmacy to customers of a company called Bodybuilders.

Among the drugs prescribed were steroids such as oxandrolone, stanozolol and winstrol, as well as growth hormones.

The state board suspended his license in September 2005 after he declined to appear for an investigative interview. A formal license revocation hearing is pending, a medical board spokesman said. The case has been referred to the Arizona Attorney General's Office for a formal license revocation hearing, but no date has been set.

Toler said Wilbirt no longer practices medicine and has no intention of returning to his practice of three decades.

It's not the first time Wilbirt faced the scrutiny of the state medical board. In 2003, a pharmacist reported to the board that the doctor prescribed excess amounts of pain relievers Norco and OxyContin. In 1998, the state board issued Wilbirt a letter of reprimand for improperly prescribing weight-loss medication to non-obese patients.

[Slamd097]

wow....guy had some good stuff. Good thing they caught him, wouldn't want any one in the gym holding up any circuit trainers.

[.!.]

steroid use leads to heart enlargement? i didnt know that?