Galea: I smuggled performance-enhancers into U.S.

The Oakville doctor whose patients include Tiger Woods and Alex Rodriguez has admitted to bringing performance-enhancing drugs into the United States.

Doctor Anthony Galea, 51, appeared in a Buffalo court Wednesday afternoon, where he pleaded guilty to smuggling unapproved drugs into the States to treat professional athletes.

Galea’s laywer, Brian Greenspan, said: “Regrettably in providing these services in the United States, he brought with him medications which although routinely used in Canada, and elsewhere in the world, did not bear the Rx symbol or directions in the english language, which are required by American regulation.”
Galea does not have a license to practice medicine in the United States.
It was part of a plea agreement, the details of which are still not known.
Galea is a well-known healing specialist, who’s been sought out by some of the biggest names in sports.

He is accused of treating a total of 20 professional athletes at their homes, hotels and friends’ houses from October 2007 to September 2009 — but the indictment doesn’t identify any clients.
Both Tiger Woods and Alex Rodriguez have said they didn’t receive performance-enhancing drugs from Galea. Greenspan made it very clear Woods had nothing to do with Wednesday’s proceedings.
“I think that in fairness to Tiger Woods, that really should be clearly stated, that the only treatment he received was PRP treatment, which is widely used; PRP is platelet-rich plasma.”
Galea was indicted by a federal grand jury last October on five counts, including trafficking steroids and smuggling goods into the United States. He’s also been charged with drug-related offences in Canada.

Authorities on both sides of the border began investigating Galea after his assistant, Mary Anne Catalano, was stopped by American border authorities after crossing the Peace Bridge in September 2009. She’s pleaded guilty to lying to border agents and is co-operating with investigators. Catalano is scheduled to be sentenced July 25th.
Galea’s legal troubles are far from over. Florida health officials are investigating him for treating Tiger Woods and other athletes in that state.
Galea has to return before a judge in the Buffalo case, on October 19th. He faces up to three years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a further forfeiture of $275,000.

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