Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Wyclef Jean, Timbaland and Tyler Perry have been named in a steroid trafficking investigation that has exposed just how far its use has traveled beyond the world of sports.
Citing confidential sources, the Albany Times Union claims the artists are among tens of thousands of people found to have either used or received prescribed shipments of steroids and injectable human growth hormone (HGH) in recent years.
Authorities, however, say there is not enough evidence to accuse any of the singers, rappers and other customers of breaking any laws. Instead, the probe is an effort to shut down the flow of drugs by doctors, pharmacists and anti-aging clinics that made the drugs accessible to their famous clients.
The Times Union says it gained access to records from several unnamed cooperating witnesses on Long Island, New York, that reportedly indicate that human growth hormone or steroids were shipped to Blige and the others — sometimes under fictitious names — at hotels, production studios, private residences, an upscale Manhattan fitness club and through the Long Island office of chiropractor Michael Diamond.
Diamond, who has not been identified as a target in the case or accused of breaking any laws, helps run an anti-aging program at Clay Gym in Manhattan.
The New York Daily News contacted Blige's camp for comment and was told by her rep that the allegations are false.
"Mary J. Blige has never taken any performance-enhancing illegal steroids," spokeswoman Karynne Tencer told the Daily News.
