McLEAN, Va. (AP) – A northern Virginia chiropractor was arrested on drug charges Tuesday after a co-defendant accused him of supplying steroids to members of two Washington-area professional sports teams.
Douglas O. Nagel, 50, of Reston, was arrested Tuesday morning in Virginia and charged by Florida authorities with seven counts of conspiring to deliver a controlled substance, specifically steroids.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Nagel received regular shipments of steroids, including testosterone and nandrolone, from a Florida man, Richard “Andy” Thomas. Thomas has since pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing steroids with intent to sell. He awaits sentencing.
League Baseball’s Washington Nationals and the National Hockey League’s Washington Capitals.
Police, though, make no allegations in their charges about whether they believe Nagel was supplying professional athletes. Carrie Eleazer, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office, said police have no direct evidence indicating that athletes received steroids from Nagel.
But on Tuesday, investigators with the sheriff’s office went to the Capitals’ practice facility in Arlington. Team spokesman Nate Ewell confirmed the Capitals were visited by authorities, but said he did not know who was interviewed.
“We’ve cooperated fully with them,” Ewell said.
Eleazer said she did not know why investigators went to the Capitals’ facility.
In a 2009 conference of the Annual Baseball Team Medicine Conference, Nagel was a presenter and described himself as a “chiropractic consultant” to both the Nationals and Capitals.
Nagel’s wife – Jan Adams Nagel, who helps run Nagel’s business, CHHC Sports Medicine – said in a brief phone interview that her husband never sold steroids. She said he had never provided any treatment to Nationals players. She declined comment about whether he had treated any Washington Capitals.
Lawyer Brian West said Tuesday that he had been called about representing Nagel, but was not yet in place and could not comment.
Nagel has faced disciplinary action from regulatory boards in Pennsylvania and Virginia. The Virginia Board of Medicine issued a reprimand and $1,000 fine to Nagel in 2005 for unlicensed practice of chiropractic medicine and lying on his license application.
—
Associated Press Writer Joseph White contributed to this report from Washington.
Add A Comment