Steroid Abuse Information and Resources

Written by:

Kumi Tucker

 10/30/2007 

An Albany Police detective is cleared of criminal wrongdoing in connection with a steroids investigation. A special prosecutor has found that no criminal charge is appropriate for detective Richard Gould.

"What we're really happy for is that a special prosecutor, one who didn't have an agenda, was able to make an unbiased determination that there was no crime committed in this case," said Gould's attorney Cheryl Coleman.

Cheryl Coleman is the attorney for Albany Police Detective Richard Gould, who was implicated in "Operation Which Doctor," a major steroid investigation led by Albany County District Attorney David Soares. Prosecutors disclosed the Albany detective's steroid connection after he was set to testify as a police officer in a separate drug case. Gould was on a list of people who ordered steroids and human growth hormone from Signature Pharmacy.

Now Special Prosecutor Paul Edwards has found that Gould should not face criminal charges.

"Rich committed no crime. He possessed the steroids and human growth hormone legally, pursuant to a prescription written by a doctor," Coleman said. "Detective Gould never met the doctor who prescribed him. He spoke to him over the phone. A medical professional was sent to his house. He was examined."

Coleman declined to reveal exactly what medical condition the steroids and HGH were prescribed for.

"If you want to look at the doctor, look at the doctor," she said.

But she says as the patient, Gould did nothing wrong.

"He took a big hit. He took a big hit in terms of reputation. He took a big hit in terms of his job. They made it impossible for them to do his job. He's just glad and we're just glad that this is over", she said.

Coleman says Gould hopes to be off desk duty soon, and if not back to the narcotics unit, at least back to his detective duties in some way.