By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-929458.mp3
Buffalo, NY – A Canadian doctor has been indicted for smuggling and treating professional athletes with human growth hormones in the U.S.
A federal grand in Buffalo returned a five-count indictment against Dr. Anthony Galea of Toronto.
"My office, along with our federal law enforcement partners, will not tolerate any attempts to either breach our nation's borders or to bring drugs that are not approved by the FDA into the United States," said U.S. Attorney Hochul.
"There is a reason why the public expects the FDA to determine which substances can be safely used in this country. Misuse of certain substances can obviously be harmful, regardless of whether or not they are being administered by a medical professional," said Hochul.
The indictment also charges Galea with conspiracy, fraud, and making false statements to Homeland Security officials, and accuses the doctor of crossing Canadian-U-S boarder 70 times.
Conspiracy, unlawful possession with intent to distribute HGH and making false statements to federal officers and agents are each punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce is three years and a $10,000 fine. A conviction for smuggling carries a maximum prison term of twenty years and a $250,000 fine.
The U.S. Attorney could not reveal the names of the sports figures treated by the doctor, but news and sports reports have repeatedly linked golfer Tiger Woods, baseball's Alex Rodriguez and some NFL players to the doctor's treatments.
Galea's former assistance, Mary Anne Catalono of Toronto, was to be sentenced Thursday. But that was postponed until January. Catalono pleaded guilty to assisting Galea of illegally delivering drugs & equipment to the U.S.