California doctor pleads guilty for illegal distribution of steroids
A California-based doctor accused of supplying performance-enhancing drugs to baseball players finally pleaded guilty to two federal criminal charges.
The 61-year old Dr. Ramon Scruggs was linked to the 2007 Mitchell report for prescribing Nandrolone to two Major League Baseball players, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Scott Schoeneweis and former Angels’ 2002 World Series MVP Troy Glaus.
He owns a clinic in Costa Mesa called New Hope Health Center. This is where he distributed vials of anabolic steroids to his clients all over the country. He did not require any face-to-face consultation before giving out prescriptions for steroids and human growth hormone.
He faces a charge for conspiracy for his illegal distribution of steroids and a charge for money laundering. He reportedly transferred $3,605 worth of money from his bank account to an account in China. Since his license was revoked in 2007 due to his involvement in the Mitchell report, the medical board imposed five-year probation on Scruggs.
He faces an imprisonment of 25 years plus a fine worth $500,000 due to his illegal purchase of steroids in China from 2000 to 2003.
His sentence is scheduled on September 14 in San Jose, California.
According to NBC Sports:
NEW YORK - A doctor accused of supplying professional baseball players with illegal performance-enhancing drugs pleaded guilty to two federal criminal charges Monday, according to a newspaper report.
