Ex-Steelers team doctor convicted of steroids trafficking

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TOM FONTAINE| Tuesday, May 2, 2017, 5:54 p.m.

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A federal jury in Pittsburgh convicted a former Steelers team doctor Tuesday on charges of trafficking in anabolic steroids, human growth hormones and painkillers.

“While a physician, (Dr. Richard A.) Rydze used his prescribing pad in place of his ATM card, doling out steroids to enrich himself and flooding the community with dangerous painkillers,” said David A. Sierleja, acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, which prosecuted the case because Rydze previously provided medical exams for the FBI's Pittsburgh field office.

Downtown attorney Adrian Roe, who represented Rydze, did not return a message.

A sentencing date had not been set for Rydze, 67, of the Strip District.

Rydze served on the Steelers medical staff for 22 years until 2007, when he became the target of a federal investigation.

Five years later, authorities charged Rydze with trafficking in painkillers since 2005 and in steroids and human growth hormones since 2007. Authorities did not accuse Rydze of providing illegal performance-enhancing drugs or painkillers to Steelers players or other professional athletes.

The jury convicted Rydze, a former Olympic medalist in platform diving, on all 180 counts against him.

A related case accusing Rydze of health care fraud is pending.

Tom Fontaine is a Tribune-Review staff writer.

Ex-Steelers team doctor convicted of steroids trafficking



Steelers training camp:
Hey Andrew you kick like a lady! injury? Got blisters from heel shoes or what?
Man up or I'll get really bad PIP gear prescribed to you next time!


BTW How can you make pics display as small-size thumbnails?
 
Ex-Steelers doctor gets 10 years in federal prison for steroid and painkiller distribution

By: Curt Popejoy |

The Post-Gazette is reporting that former Pittsburgh Steelers team doctor Richard Rydze was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after being found guilty of multiple counts of distribution of anabolic steroids, human growth hormone as well as opioid painkillers.

Mr. Rydze, a former Olympic diver who had been the Steelers’ doctor for two decades, was accused of distributing painkillers since 2005 and trafficking in human growth hormone and steroids since 2007.

As the owner of Optimal Health Center on First Avenue in Pittsburgh, he conspired with James Hatzimbes, who owned HSE Salon and Wellness Center in Brentwood, and William Sadowski, who operated ANEWrx pharmacy in Robinson.

Trial testimony and evidence showed the three conspired to distribute drugs and in the case of Sadowski arranged a kickback scheme from which Mr. Rydze benefited.

Rydze was the Steelers team doctor from 1985 to 2007. This appears to have overlapped with some of the allegations made against him in terms of drug distribution.

Ex-Steelers doctor gets 10 years in federal prison for steroid and painkiller distribution
 
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