DOC officer gets 5 years probation for his part in steroid ring

May 30, 2006

A former state corrections officer was sentenced to five years probation Tuesday for his role in a steroid ring among prison guards and embezzling from a prison recycling program.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan said Bryan Griffis, who managed a center that recycles prison trash, and other Corrections Department officials were so consumed with winning softball tournaments that they encouraged players to use and distribute steroids, The Florida Times-Union reported.

Griffis was also ordered to pay back the $34,705.32 embezzled from the recycling center.

He had previously pleaded guilty to embezzling from the center. He also pleaded guilty for his role in an anabolic steroid ring in which he sold the drugs to fellow officers and others.

The department has been under a cloud of suspicion recently and the target of state and federal investigations. In the past eight months secretary James Crosby was among more than a dozen officials who resigned.

Prosecutors said Griffis and others had steroids shipped from Egypt, which they distributed to other guards, primarily softball players. Of the 10 former officers who've been charged with either selling or possessing steroids, the majority were softball players.

Griffis is one of six former officers to plead guilty in the steroid investigation. None of the four who were sentenced so far have received prison time.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Pashayancq said he would not discuss details of the ongoing investigation when Corrigan asked whether the high ranking officials will be charged in connection with the steroids and embezzlement.

An after hours telephone message left at the office of Griffis' attorney Terry Silverman was not immediately returned.