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Dukes' Estranged Wife Doesn't Want Drug Evaluation Released

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By THOMAS W. KRAUSE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 20, 2007

TAMPA - Attorneys for former Devil Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes said they have not released a psychological and drug-evaluation report about Dukes, as a judge ordered, because his estranged wife has asked them not to.

Last week, NiShea Dukes' divorce attorney said she had concerns that Elijah Dukes was taking steroids. Steroid use, Catherine Real said, might be the cause of Elijah Dukes' aggression issues.

When Real was told that Elijah Dukes was evaluated by therapists at a Houston clinic - and that the report included a drug evaluation - she requested a copy. Judge J. Kevin Carey ordered the report to be handed over by 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Real said Wednesday morning that she had not seen the report.

Court documents, filed by Elijah Dukes' attorneys late Tuesday, ask that the judge revoke his order because they received an e-mail from NiShea Dukes.

'I am requesting that you do not fax or mail Elijah's medical report to my attorney Catherine W. Real,' NiShea Dukes wrote. 'I think this would be damaging to his career and that it would not benefit me receiving his medical report.'

Elijah Dukes' attorneys filed a copy of the e-mail with the court.

NiShea Dukes also said she would send a letter to Real telling her she wanted to go to mediation and 'get this divorce over.'

Real said she expected to meet with her client to discuss the situation.

Real had previously accused the Devil Rays of not releasing the report despite a court order. She said she had concerns that it included information about Elijah Dukes' steroid use that the Rays did not want released.

A Devil Rays attorney said in court that the ballclub had no information about steroid use by Dukes.

The Rays provided Dukes with a copy of the report, and said it is up to him to release it, team management said through its attorneys.

Real has said she wanted a drug abuse expert to read the report because some steroid testing can be masked.

In court earlier this week, Elijah Dukes complained that Real was manipulating his estranged wife and that one day NiShea Dukes would 'come to her senses.'

Real said she gives her divorce clients advice but any actions she takes are dictated by them.

Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com.

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