DENVER—A federal judge has ordered Colorado Springs-based College Pharmacy Inc. to forfeit $3.5 million in gains from importing, selling and distributing Chinese human growth hormone to customers around the country.
From September 2004 to about June 2007, the company’s previous owners were accused of illegally importing and selling Chinese HGH that had not been approved by the Federal Drug Administration. The company now has new owners.
The judge’s order was part of a settlement that will allow College Pharmacy to retain its property, the U.S. attorney’s office in Denver said Friday.
A representative for College Pharmacy did not immediately return a call for comment.
Jeff Dorschner, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney, said College Pharmacy’s clients for HGH included some children with legitimate growth issues, but also bodybuilders and people interested in postponing the effects of aging.
Even if those clients had lawful reasons to take the hormone, College Pharmacy had provided hormone illegally imported from China from manufacturers not monitored by the FDA, Dorschner said.
A grand jury indicted three people with ties to the business last year. Former owner Thomas Bader and Kevin Henry, a sales representative, are set for trial in April. Phone numbers for them could not be found.
Charles Torres, an attorney for Bader, said his client firmly believes there is no basis for the charges. He declined further comment. Henry’s attorney, Thomas Hammond, declined to comment, saying it would be unethical to do so before trial.
Bradley Blum pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to facilitate the sale of smuggled goods and distributing human growth hormone. He was sentenced this week to two years of probation and a $10,000 fine.
