Suspended Philadelphia Phillies star pitcher, J.C. Romero has filed a lawsuit against the nutritional supplements makers and distributors, who according to him were responsible for his positive steroid test. The player got a 50-match suspension order last August.

The 27-page lawsuit, which was filed on Monday in New Jersey Superior Court in Camden County, held the product 6-OXO Extreme responsible for traces of androstenedione found in the pitcher’s urine on Aug. 26, 2008. The lawsuit also consisted of various other counts, including negligence, intentional misrepresentation and consumer fraud.

The four defendants named under it are GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Ergopharm and Proviant Technologies. Among which the latter two are owned and operated by Patrick Arnold, an Illinois-based chemist who at the moment is in federal prison for his role in the BALCO affair. Though, he did not give any counter statement regarding the lawsuit action.

Romero said that he purchased an over-the-counter supplement that was told would not cause him test positive. He also said that the issue had hurt him deeply and ruined his career, accomplishments and family. But, he wanted to start again while putting the issue on backburner and would also try to protect the interests of others, who rely on manufacturers and retailers to be honest about their products.

From New York Daily News:

Suspended Phillies reliever J.C. Romero is suing the makers and distributors of nutritional supplements that he says are responsible for his positive steroid test last August. The 27-page lawsuit, filed Monday in New Jersey Superior Court in Camden County, blames the product 6-OXO Extreme for traces of androstenedione found in the pitcher’s urine on Aug. 26, 2008. The numerous counts in the lawsuit include negligence, intentional misrepresentation and consumer fraud. The four defendants named are GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Ergopharm and Proviant Technologies.

Romero was found tested positive for androstenedione on Aug. 26, 2008 and received a 50-game ban which was not made public until January of this year. Despite of his suspension by MLB, the pitcher was allowed to train with the Phillies during spring training session and in pregame practices, but was not being paid for it.

Gary Wadler, a New York internist affiliated with the World Anti-Doping Agency, stated that Romero situation brought in limelight a well-known problem with the under-regulated supplement industry. He also said that they had made it clear that athletes were at great risk when they take supplements. They have little to gain and a lot to lose.

Posted in Steroids