Nats, Caps mentioned in steroid bust

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By Tim Lemke

"No, never, not once -- [steroids were] never talked about once," said former Capitals defenseman Steve Eminger, now with the Florida Panthers. "We got tested two-three times a year. Never once -- I dont know, you see guys. Guys arent extremely ripped or anything."

Speaking on WJFK-FM's "Big O and Dukes" show Wednesday, Capitals left wing Donald Brashear concurred.

"We get tested two-three times a year and there's never been anybody who's tested positive," he said. "Was [Thomas] supplying this year? Was it a few years ago when there was no testing ... to tell you the truth, if there was, I didn't know. There's no sign of anybody I know who used steroids."

The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested the Thomases after learning from Immigration and Customs Enforcements agents in Philadelphia that the couple was expecting a shipment of steroids to their Lakeland, Fla. home. ICE agents and undercover Polk County detectives worked together to seize the shipment, uncovering morethan $200,000 worth of drugs plus syringes, books and other steroid-related paraphernalia. Officials also discovered several loaded weapons, including an AR-15 assualt rifle.

An ICE spokeswoman declined to comment, citing an ongoing federal investigation. She said no federal charges against the Thomases have been filed.

Richard Thomas, 35, and Sandra Thomas, 49, are semi-professional bodybuilders, having competed together in mixed competitions in Florida.

Judd said Polk County detectives have yet to uncover any evidence to support Richard Thomas' claims that he distributed to athletes, but that an investigation is ongoing. Richard Thomas told police that he has been dealing steroids for more than a decade, claiming that he was once the biggest dealer in Florida. When asked by detectives if he was addicted to steroids, he replied "It's all I've ever known.

According sheriff affadavits, the Thomases possessed and imported as many as 10 different substances, including the anabolic steroids Boldenone, Methenolone, Nandrolone, Oxandrolone and Oxymetholone, all of which are on the the banned substances list for Major League Baseball. The substances also are banned by the NHL, which uses the list maintained by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The pair are also accused of possessing and distributing three forms of testosterone, also banned by both leagues, and diazepam, a common drug used to treat anxiety. Diazepam has not been banned by MLB or the NHL.

Both leagues have anti-drug policies that call for frequent testing and suspensions for positive tests. In 2007, MLB commissioned former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell to conduct an independent investigation into the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball, resulting in the naming of more than 100 current and former players. Several current and former Nationals appeared on the Mitchell Report including reliever Ron Villone, former catchers Paul LoDuca and Gary Bennett, and former outfielders Nook Logan, Termel Sledge and Jose Guillen. Many of those named in the Mitchell Report were said to have ties with Kirk Radomski, a former Mets clubhouse employee who plead guilty to federal charges of illegally distributing steroids and human growth hormone.

Under an agreement struck in 2006, MLB imposes a 50-game suspension for a first positive test, 100-game suspension for a second and lifetime ban for a third. The NHL in 2005 agreed on a 20-game suspension for a first positive test, 60-game suspension for a second and lifetime ban for a third.

Several baseball players have received 50-game suspensions since the penalties went into effect, including Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez. The New York Islanders' Sean Hill, who served a 20-game suspension in 2007, is the only hockey player to have been suspended by the NHL for a positive test. However, other players, including Capitals goaltender Jose Theodore, have been banned from international competition due to positive tests during Olympic preparations.