Biogenesis owner Anthony Bosch to plead guilty in MLB drug case
The former owner of the Biogenesis clinic is set to plead guilty to providing performance-enhancing drugs to high school athletes and dozens of Major League Baseball players, including New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, reports the Associated Press.
Anthony Bosch, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute testosterone, faces 10 years in prison after a plea hearing that is set for Thursday. Prosecutors agreed to recommend a lighter sentence for Bosch, who cooperated with authorities during an almost two-year investigation.
Bosch, 51, surrendered to authorities in August. Six others were charged in the case that resulted in 14 players being suspended by Major League Baseball. Rodriguez was suspended for the entire 2014 season, after his original 211-game suspension was reduced by an independent arbitrator following an appeal. His ban ends when the World Series concludes later this month.
The six other defendants were accused of helping Bosch distribute the steroids supplied by the anti-aging clinic over a period of five years.
Last week, a judge ordered that Bosch be jailed immediately after he tested positive twice in August for cocaine use. Part of the conditions of his release on $100,000 bail in August was that he stay away from illegal drugs and submit to random urine testing.
MLB began investigating the clinic after the Miami New Times reported last year that Bosch sold illegal steroids to numerous professional athletes.
- Scooby Axson
