News

Steroid Investigation Turns to Music Stars

An Albany-based steroid probe has named such major rap and R&B stars as Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Timbaland and Wyclef Jean in a report about the recent spike in growth hormone use over the past few years. The upstate paper Times Union reportedly got a hold of records from several anonymous witnesses in Long Island, NY—records that claim human growth hormones were shipped to Blige and others at hotels, production studios, private residences, an upscale Manhattan gym, and the office of chiropractor Michael Diamond. Law enforcement officials have said they don't have any evidence to charge Diamond or any of the above stars with breaking the law, however. They're simply being included as part of a larger investigation.

At press time, very few official statements have been released in regards to the paper's allegations, although Mary J. Blige's spokeswoman, Karynne Tencer, spoke to the Daily News on Sunday night, claiming, "Mary J. Blige has never taken any performance-enhancing illegal steroids." As for Diamond, he's refused to reveal who he's treated with anti-aging techniques because of patient privacy laws.

The Times Union also named a South Florida osteopath, Dr. Gary Brandwein, as a possible supplier of growth hormone prescriptions. Brandwein is currently awaiting trial in Albany on felony drug charges after being named in the investigation behind the murder/suicide of wrestler Chris Benoit and his family.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
01.15.08