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Dad Who Gave Son Steroids Is Given 6-Year Prison Term
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Published: January 7, 2008
TAMPA Saying he hopes to send a message to parents of athletes who want to excel, a federal judge today gave a six-year sentence to a father who gave his son steroids.
James Gahan admitted giving the synthetic testosterone and human growth hormone to his son, Corey, a champion in-line skater, who was banned from the sport, for at least two years, beginning in 2003, when the boy was 13. James Gahan later lied about his involvement, accusing his son's trainer and a clinic operator of giving the boy drugs without his knowledge, according to Gahan's plea agreement.
"I apologize to my family and to the court for my actions that have brought us here, most importantly my son," Gahan said. "There is no excuse for what I've done … I have made some bad choices."
U.S. District Judge James Whittemore ordered Gahan to serve four years of probation upon his release from prison, and to perform up to 500 hours of community service work. The judge said 400 of those hours may be offset by gainful employment. The remaining 100 hours, the judge ordered, will be served by talking to the community about his experiences. "Perhaps it's parents you should speak with," the judge said.
Gahan, 41, of Lady Lake, is now estranged from his son, who is living in Michigan with his mother, according to defense attorney Thomas Ostrander.
"It's very clear that he was a world-class athlete," Ostrander said of Corey Gahan. "He's not anymore." The boy "doesn't train anymore because of the numerous injuries" he suffered when he pushed himself after using steroids, Ostrander said. "He's no longer an in-line skater."
Ostrander said Gahan provided the drugs to his son because the boy "didn't want to lose an edge" in competition. "Mr. Gahan did not force his son to become a superior athlete," Ostrander said. "He did not force his son to use steroids."
Ostrander said Gahan is trying to make up for his actions by cooperating with law enforcement, giving investigators information in several areas, including Gahan's steroids suppliers.
Gahan has said he used Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, which is under investigation by New York authorities who are looking into whether it provided steroids to professional athletes. Ostrander said Gahan has provided information about his "relationship with Signature Pharmacy."
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Porcelli, after a Tampa clinic was shuttered by authorities, Gahan opened his own "wellness clinics."
Ostrander said the clinics were part of an effort to help people at a time when it was thought steroids would be beneficial.
In addition to giving steroids to his son, Gahan used them "for vanity purposes," Porcelli said. The prosecutor said he agreed to the plea deal to spare Corey Gahan from having to testify against his father "although he was prepared to do it."
Porcelli said Gahan's conduct "is as egregious as it gets, to be supplying his minor son with drugs, and then lie about it to the system."
In sentencing Gahan, the judge said, "You've been a man on the edge for a long time. No more. You've fallen off the edge."
Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837 or esilvestrini@tampatrib.com.
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