DENVER (AP) - Two teammates told investigators in a prescription fraud case that Denver Broncos linebacker Bill Romanowski offered stimulants to them before games, according to a report in Sports Illustrated.
Citing unnamed sources close to the case, the magazine reported former Broncos player Martin Harrison provided a written statement to prosecutors detailing Romanowski's alleged offers of pregame stimulants.
One white player told a Douglas County grand jury that heard the case that Romanowski suggested the substances would allow him and Romanowski to compete on a level field with black players, the magazine said.
Romanowski was indicted last week on four felony counts accusing him of using diet drugs prescribed for his wife and a friend. Previously, his wife, Julie, and three others were charged in the case. Some doctors believe the drug, called Phentermine, helps athletes by speeding up their metabolism. Romanowski is due to appear in court Aug. 28.
Julie Romanowski faces eight counts of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance and conspiracy. Her scheduled arraignment was postponed until Oct. 5.
The magazine reported the Romanowskis directed Lori Johnson to obtain more than 500 pills of the controlled substance, from September 1998 to January 1999. Johnson and Dr. Randall Snook were accused of participating.
Johnson pleaded guilty in January to conspiring to illegally obtain a prescription drug. Snook pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and received 18 months' probation.
Johnson's lawyer told SI that on numerous occasions, at the Romanowskis' request, Johnson obtained Phentermine and prescription-strength ephedrine and delivered both to the Romanowskis' house.
A spokesman for the Douglas County Sheriff's Department, which was involved in the investigation, said Tuesday night the sheriff's office wasn't aware of the allegations and couldn't comment on the grand jury investigation.
Sports Illustrated said Romanowski's lawyer Jeff Springer acknowledged that the grand jury looked at the possibility his client was providing drugs to players, but, Springer said: ``The jurors obviously rejected that theory.''
He also denied Romanowski said anything about black players.
Springer was quoted in The Denver Post Wednesday saying he had talked to district attorney John Jordan and found that no such statements were made in front of the grand jury by any player.
``We know for a fact that the statement in Sports Illustrated is completely inaccurate and absolutely false,'' Springer said. ``Jordan, who sits in the grand jury proceeding as people testify, confirmed nothing like this was said. These statements are scandalous, defamatory and outrageous. This is race baiting.''
Jordan was unavailable for comment, but Springer said he was exploring the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the magazine and the person the statements are attributed to.
``We stand by our story and all the reporting that contributed to it,'' Joe Assad, the magazine's director of public relations, said.
Citing three unnamed sources, the Denver Rocky Mountain News reported Wednesday that Harrison and Broncos center Dave Diaz-Infante told investigators that Romanowski offered them diet pills before games.
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Z||000002||GetHuge||08-18-2000||09:43 AM||||It's an amphetamine that is stronger than efedrine and gives you a huge energy rush and is a powerful fat burner.||169.207.228.205||reg||7
Z||000003||d1734||08-18-2000||12:23 PM||d1734@yahoo.com||personally i think Romanowski is guilty. he has openly bragged about his massive use of supplements. i know that i read somewhere he was bragging that he took down 50-100 pills a day. my guess is this guy is a serious juicer and hides behind supplements.||24.31.114.84||reg||13
Z||000004||Kwai-Chang Caine||08-19-2000||12:28 AM||||There is something very strange about that guy. Does anyone else agree with me?||172.156.206.190||reg||
Z||000005||freak_24/7||08-20-2000||11:36 PM||peter_187@hushmail.com||that dude kicks ass
even though i hate the broncos i like him he's a good linebacker||207.173.245.159||reg||
Z||000006||johnpimp||08-21-2000||06:00 PM||||if Phentermine is so much better than effedrine why dont bodybuilders use it?||209.165.157.110||reg||
Z||000007||burndaddy||08-21-2000||07:13 PM||burndaddy00@hotmail.com||I agree with freak, Romo is a bad ass he's allways looking ring someones bell. I think he is taking alot of a-bombs or fina.
>>>>BURN<<<<
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Z||000008||Bravo||08-22-2000||06:38 AM||klhall@telusplanet.net||He does kick ass. Wasn't he pushing EAS supplements?
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I AM.
CANADIAN||161.184.55.51||reg||