Former doctor to plead guilty in steroid scheme

April 30, 2007

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- A former New York doctor charged with illegally prescribing human growth hormone and anabolic steroids reaches a plea deal with federal prosecutors.

Ana Maria Santi plans to plead guilty on June 1, according to her lawyer, Edward Roy. Prosecutors say Santi earned more than 24-thousand dollars for writing prescriptions for nearly 400 customers of American Pharmaceutical Group.

Santi lost her medical license in 1999, and prosecutors say Santi never met or examined the customers for whom she prescribed the drugs.

Santi faces 29 federal counts of conspiracy, illegal drug distribution and health care fraud. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend a reduced sentence.