Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Steroid Doc Fed Cops Their Muscle Milk
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Mar 20, 2010
Modified Mar 20, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Mar 20, 2010
Modified Mar 20, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
So this is what’s behind fussy new drug regulations for cops. A Staten Island doctor has admitted to writing steroid prescriptions for policemen and bodybuilders hoping to beef up, and also to taking kick-backs from the Brooklyn pharmacy that filled them. Back in 2008 the owner of Lowen’s Pharmacy committed suicide after Feds discovered $8 million worth of anabolic steroids and growth hormones in his Brooklyn store. There’s another casualty in this story too: a heart transplant recipient who took the pills just a year after his surgery, and later died.
The doctor Richard Lucente said in court that he wrote the prescriptions for 19 cops and bodybuilders and sent them to Lowen’s. Regarding the weak-hearted bodybuilder, Lucente was charged with reckless endangerment (though instead he accepted a plea bargain for conspiracy). The Advance says Lucente “treated” Jospeph Baglio for an alleged testosterone deficiency from, 2005 to 2007, charging $500 per month for growth hormones and steroid prescriptions that may have contributed to his death in 2007.
Lucente—who was given five years’ probation, 200 hours of community service and stripped of his medical license—still claims innocence, and told reporters outside the courthouse he took the plea bargain for the sake of his young song. "I knew in my heart of hearts I'm innocent," said the director of the New York Anti-Aging and Wellness Center, according to the News. But the prosecutor had a different take: “He is a convicted felon. He is not writing prescriptions," affirmed lawyer Michael Spankos.
Tagged
bodybuilder
growth hormones
heart transplant
muscle
nypd
richard lucente
steroid
Sabrina Jaszi
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .