Apr. 24--The attorney for former Dallas Cowboys lineman Matt Lehr, who has been under investigation for months on allegations that he distributed steroids to other NFL players, said Wednesday that his client would not be indicted.
"We have been told by the prosecutors that they do not intend to bring charges against Matt Lehr in connection with their ongoing steroid investigation," said Paul Coggins in Dallas. "After reviewing the evidence gathered to date, the government reached the right conclusion."
John Ratcliffe, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, which is conducting the investigation, would not confirm Mr. Coggins' statement.
"We are actively investigating the distribution of illegal steroids and human growth hormone," he said. "As a matter of policy, we neither identify nor comment upon persons of interest in ongoing investigations."
Last year, Mr. Lehr's name surfaced in the investigation into the steroids distribution network run by his friend, Plano personal trainer and amateur bodybuilder David Jacobs. Mr. Jacobs, 35, has pleaded guilty, along with six other co-defendants, to charges that they conspired to traffic anabolic steroids and human growth hormone all over the country. All are awaiting sentencing.
Mr. Lehr received a four-game suspension in 2006 for violating the NFL's banned-substance policy while he was with the Atlanta Falcons. After the suspension, Mr. Lehr continued to attend bodybuilding shows, which are heavily attended by steroid users and dealers.
Mr. Coggins called his client's suspension a "wake-up call," and added that "since then, he has played by the rules and looks forward to a long and productive career in the NFL."
Mr. Lehr played for the Cowboys from 2001 to 2004. He recently signed a free-agent contract with the New Orleans Saints after being released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The details of his new contract have not been released.
Hank Hockheimer, attorney for Mr. Jacobs, declined to comment on Mr. Coggins' statement.
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