An accused steroids dealer in Polk County, Florida has implicated unspecified members of the Washington Nationals baseball and Washington Capitals hockey teams as clients.
WFLA/8 reports that Richard Thomas and his wife, Sandra Thomas, were arrested by Polk County sheriff's officials after a tip from the Philadelphia office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Both Thomas' are charged with multiple steroids possession and distribution possessions.
The concern for D.C. area sports fans is over subsequent claims by Richard Thomas, helpfully relayed by Polk County law enforcement, that he had sold steroids primarily to professional athletes including Capitals and Nationals players. Despite being pressed, Thomas did not reveal the specific identities of the players.
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Assuming that Richard Thomas isn't simply blowing smoke about his claims, one assumes that it's only a matter of time until the identities of the Thomas' clients are publicly revealed. The fact that the initial tip came from Philadelphia-based feds leads credence to the possibility of a home region connection, though not necessarily to the Capitals and Nationals.
A steroid scandal could prove disastrous to both teams, a significant tarnish to the burgeoning popularity of the Washington Capitals and a dagger at the heart of an already reeling Washington Nationals franchise.
______________________Labels: crime, pro baseball, pro hockey, sports, steroids, washington capitals, washington nationals
