Two Delray Beach cops cleared of illegal steroid use

Chief decries procedure that allows doctors to prescribe drugs without face-to-face meeting

March 17, 2006

Two Delray Beach police officers suspected of illegally using steroids have been cleared as the result of an internal probe, according to reports released to the media on Thursday.

Police spokesman Officer Jeff Messer said the investigation continues into possible steroid use by a third policeman.

In memos about both cases, Police Chief Larry Schroeder questioned the method by which the officers obtained the steroids, though he concluded it was "legal."  However, according to the reports, the two officers got their drugs with prescriptions given to them by doctors they never met.

Reports released by police said Sgt. Russ Mager was "exonerated" of accusations that included unlawful purchase of anabolic steroids; use of anabolic steroids not in accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved use and abuse of a prescription drug.

Charges of failure to obey rules and regulations of the department filed against Officer Gerardo Rich were "not sustained," or dismissed, the report said.

While Schroeder acknowledged that both men had prescriptions, the reports indicate he was disturbed by a lack of face-to-face contact with the prescribing doctor.

"What was missing throughout this [investigation] process was an actual face-to-face meeting with the prescribing doctor," the chief said. "This is a significant red flag and concern for most individuals who have been prescribed drugs. Yet, by law, there is no requirement for a face-to-face meeting between a doctor and a person to whom they are prescribing drugs."

"Although this is difficult to fathom," the chief added, "it is the law, and thus, there was no crime committed."

The probe of Mager's steroid use was triggered by an anonymous telephone call to police on June 14, 2005 from a caller who claimed Sgt. Mager was purchasing steroids from a company called PowerMedica in Deerfield Beach. After the call, the matter was assigned to the internal affairs division.

As to Officer Rich, the report said Chief Schroeder received a call from Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw Aug. 10, 2005, claiming a Delray officer was a client of a clinic closed by the FDA for illegal distribution of anabolic steroids. It turned out to be the same clinic use by Mager - PowerMedica, the report says.

Regarding both officers, the chief said that "based on the evidence, there was no indication that the prescribed drugs were used in any manner other than prescribed."

"With that said," the chief went on, "it is my opinion that the entire process in which individuals can obtain anabolic steroids through PowerMedica is both questionable and dangerous….  There should be some requirement that a doctor must meet with a person before they prescribe drugs."

"I find this extremely difficult to understand," the chief added, "and even more difficult to accept that members of this department would not have those same concerns. I hope and pray that something can be done to rectify this loophole before someone dies."