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Arraignment postponed Court hearing delayed for Broncos LB Romanowski
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (AP) -- The arraignment for Denver Broncos linebacker Bill Romanowski in a prescription-drug fraud case was postponed until Dec. 12. Romanowski arrived for his 8:30 a.m. court hearing Tuesday about a half-hour late because he was sore from the Broncos' game the night before and could not sleep, his lawyer Harvey Steinberg said. The Broncos beat the Raiders 27-24 on Monday. Both Romanowski and his wife, Julie, appeared in court where District Judge Thomas Curry was to discuss the potential conflict of Steinberg representing both. Romanowski could also have entered a plea, prosecutor Mike Spear said. Romanowski, 34, is accused of using a prescription diet drug prescribed for his wife and a friend. He is charged with one count each of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and deceit and two counts of conspiracy. Prosecutors, mindful of potential appeals, agreed to the postponement because a court-appointed adviser had not formally told Romanowski's wife, Julie, of the potential conflict. "This issue always pops up on appeal," Spear said. "If we get a conviction, they can argue ineffecive counsel because they had the same attorney." Romanowski has signed an affidavit stating he understands the potential conflicts, Spear said. Julie Romanowski has pleaded innocent to conspiracy and eight felony counts alleging she fraudulently obtained the prescription appetite suppressant phentermine for her husband. Her trial is scheduled for March 13. Steinberg could have a conflict in cross examination and in knowledge of evidence that could be different between cases, said Mike Kossen, Bill Romanowski's court-appointed adviser. Lori Johnson, a friend of Julie Romanowski's, pleaded guilty in January to conspiring to illegally obtain a prescription drug. Dr. Randall Snook pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and received 18 months' probation. Romanowski is in his 13th year with the NFL. He was acquired by the Broncos from Philadelphia in 1996 and was on Denver's 1997 and 1998 Super Bowl championship teams. Romanowski's lawyers have said the medication was prescribed for him after a consultation with his doctor. Some doctors believe phentermine helps athletes by speeding up their metabolism. Others say it is of little or no use as a performance enhancer.
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