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Romanowski indicted Broncos LB faces charges in diet drug case
GREELEY, Colo. (AP) -- Denver Broncos linebacker Bill Romanowski has been charged with using diet drugs prescribed for his wife and a friend. The four felony charges were announced Wednesday at the team's training camp in a case that dates to 1998 and also includes Romanowski's wife, Julie. Bill Romanowski declined comment, but his lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, said they will fight the charges, which he said "concern a medication that is routinely prescribed and was prescribed for Bill after consultation with his doctor." "There is a benefit to us," Steinberg added. "There has been a cloud of suspicion over Bill, and this will give him the opportunity to clear his name once and for all and put the rumors and innuendo that have been circulating to rest."
Jeff Springer, Romanowski's other attorney, said, "We're confident that when the truth comes out, Bill will be vindicated." Romanowski could receive between two and nine years in prison if convicted on all four charges, although probation would also be possible, said Mike Knight, spokesman for the 18th Judicial District. The drug is Phentermine, which some doctors believe helps athletes by speeding up their metabolisms. Others, however, say the drug is of little or no use to athletes wishing to enhance their performance. Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said he doubted Romanowski would be subject to any immediate NFL sanctions. "If you were accused of something, wouldn't your employers wait to see what happens, if you were guilty or not guilty? Let's let due process take care of itself," Shanahan said. "If someone is guilty, he'll pay the price. If he isn't, he can clear himself instead of having those innuendoes of what did or didn't happen." Romanowski was indicted by a grand jury on Tuesday 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. "This is not a street drug and it's not a drug that has any value," Steinberg said. "Interesting enough, for the first time in any reported case we could find, Mr. Romanowski is charged with conspiring with his doctor to possess Phentermine. It's pretty clear that Phentermine was prescribed by his doctor based on his doctor's evaluation of Mr. Romanowski's needs. So we have a situation that's never occurred before." Steinberg called the case a "witch hunt" by a "DEA agent who just wouldn't let go." Springer called the charges "bizarre and unusual" and questioned both the timing and the nature of them. He insisted Romanowski would not accept a plea bargain. Last year, four other people were indicted in the case, including Julie Romanowski. She faces eight counts of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance and conspiracy and will be arraigned on Monday. Authorities contend Julie Romanowski and others conspired to obtain Phentermine for her husband. According to the indictment, Bill Romanowski worked with his wife; a friend, Loretta Johnson; Dr. Randall Snook; and possibly other, unnamed people to get Phentermine seven times between September 1998 and January 1999. Snook pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and received 18 months' probation. The indictment also says Romanowski and the others agreed to cover up their alleged actions if questioned by authorities. Johnson pleaded guilty in January to conspiring to illegally obtain a prescription drug. If she complies with court orders and stays out of trouble for a year, the conviction will not go on her record permanently.
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