In an interview getting increased mainstream coverage, YouTube filmmaker Jon Bravo spoke to Richard Rodriguez. Rodriguez was arrested in February of last year on charges he led a $10 million international steroid production and distribution ring after being the target of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raid on his Iron Addicts Gym in Miami.
Bravo states his interest in the case involves, in part, why it hasn’t achieved more mainstream attention. In interviewing Rodriguez, he may be changing that, as the accused steroid dealer named three of the 50 customers alleged in the United States Attorney’s Office’s case against him.
Those names were actors Josh Duhamel and Mark Wahlberg, and WWE Superstar Roman Reigns.
Rodriguez says his motive is “to clear my name and just make people well aware, there’s a lot more people out there that were involved and are associated with my company that many individuals did not know.”
As to why he’s chosen Reigns as one of the associates to reveal:
“He [Reigns] is a very down to earth person, however, a situation involved in which… often times when you’re brought to trials - which I was not, I decided to take a plea - however, they disclose discovery. Discovery is basically the proof that they have against you. One thing, one part of the discovery is what’s called tried and true statements, which is basically disclosing everybody whom the investigators or people that were investigating you have spoken to with regards to your company, with regards to you, with regards to any other co-defendants that are associated with the indictment. So, that’s one of the reasons why I disclosed him.”
It’s important to note that these are accusations offered without corroboration. Reigns is subject to testing under WWE’s Wellness Policy, and has presumably been found clean since his June 2016 suspension. That was reported as being for Adderall, not steroids, but WWE does not officially release test results.
You can watch Bravo’s video here. Thanks to Forbes for quotes used in this post.
UPDATE - Rodriguez’s lawyer, Richard L. Cooper, sent the following statement to Cageside Seats in response to the above post:
“While I cannot confirm or deny the allegations made by my client, I can tell you that Mr. Rodriguez’s statements were made to shed light on the rampant use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs in all areas of sports and entertainment. His comments only go to show that the problem is not with the supply but with the demand.”