"Recruiter" Tied To Miami MLB Steroid Scandal Sentenced
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MIAMI (CBSmiami/AP) — A so-called recruiter for Biogenesis of America in Coral Gables, who admitted that he lured players from other countries to the clinic for performance enhancing drugs, was sentenced to prison followed by house arrest.
Juan Carlos Nuñez admitted in court last year that he brought professional ballplayers from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela to Anthony Bosch's now-closed clinic.
Bosch, Nunez, and five others who allegedly made up the supply and distribution network were indicted in the Major League Baseball doping scandal investigation which reportedly sold banned steroids to a number of players, including Alex Rodriguez.
Nunez faced a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga, however, agreed with Nunez's attorney that his part in the conspiracy was minimal compared with others'. Nunez will serve three months behind bars and three months on house arrest.
Nunez said he used his position at a New York-based sports representation agency, ACES Inc., to connect with foreign players, including arranging for them to buy homes and cars and handling travel.
Bosch plead guilty last October and was sentenced to four years in federal prison.
Among the others charged were Alex Rodriguez's cousin Yuri Sucart, Carlos Javier Acevedo of Miami; Jorge Augustine Velazquez of Miami; Christopher Benjamin Engroba of Miami and Lazaro Daniel Collazo of Hialeah.
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