Doctor pleads guilty in steroid case
Doctor pleads guilty in steroid case, By: Robert Gavin
Robert Carlson agrees to cooperate
8/21/07
ALBANY -- A Florida doctor who rubber-stamped orders for steroids was spared prison time today under a plea bargain that will force him to testify against the reputed ringleaders of an alleged distribution network for performance-enhancing drugs.
Robert Carlson, 50, of Sarasota, will receive 5 years probation and must forfeit $300,000 under the deal, which agreed-upon before acting Supreme Court Justice Dan Lamont. The doctor pleaded guilty to fourth-degree insurance fraud - a felony carrying up to four years in prison - during an appearance in Albany County Court.
In doing so, Carlson becomes the ninth person to plead guilty since Albany County District Attorney David Soares' investigators raided Signature Compounding Pharmacy in Orlando in late February.
The outfit allegedly distributed 10 shipments of steroids, including growth hormone, to Albany County.
Among others, Carlson is expected to testify against Stan and Naomi Loomis, a husband-and-wife team of pharmacists who own Signature Pharmacy, and Glen Stephanos and his brother, George, of Palm Beach Rejuvenation.
The pharmacy and Palm Beach Rejuvenation, a "wellness center," allegedly helped distribute the drugs to Albany County.
"This plea today is very significant," Soares told reporters outside the courtroom.
Carlson, who waived his right to appeal, will be sentenced Nov. 9.
