6 plead not guilty to charges they ran online steroid ring

ALBANY, N.Y. — Six people pleaded not guilty Monday to charges they operated a widespread Internet scheme that illegally sold steroids nationwide to clients that reportedly include professional athletes, celebrities and top bodybuilders.

Robert Stanley Loomis and wife Naomi, the owners of Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, Fla., were arrested last Tuesday during a raid in which police confiscated truck loads of drugs and other evidence. Both are registered pharmacists in Florida. Robert Loomis' brother, pharmacist Kenneth Michael Loomis, and Kirk Calvert, Signature's marketing director, also were charged.

The four are charged with 20 counts each of criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions, criminal sale of a controlled substance and insurance fraud.

Each posted bail of $30,000. All four looked tired as they shuffled into court, dressed in jail jumpsuits, handcuffed and shackled.

"We hope to have them home as soon as we can so they can be with their kids," said Dawn Tingley, the Florida lawyer representing the Loomis' and Calvert.

After that court appearance, Claire Denise Godfrey, a doctor at an anti-aging clinic in Orlando, pleaded not guilty to 10 counts related to the criminal sale of a controlled substance. She posted $20,000 bail.

Godfrey's name was mentioned in an indictment filed two weeks ago in a federal case charging the owner of a New Jersey pharmaceutical company with health care fraud, conspiracy and illegal drug distribution. The documents say Godfrey received a $2,350 payment in August from the pharmacy owner.

Godfrey declined comment Monday.

A sixth person, 44-year-old Gary Brandwein of Boca Raton, Fla., was arraigned on six counts related to the criminal sale of a controlled substance. He pleaded not guilty and posted $10,000 bail. His connection to the investigation could not immediately be determined.

Brandwein's lawyer, Terence Kindlon, declined comment.

Two more people were scheduled to be arraigned Monday.

Albany County District Attorney P. David Soares, who ran the investigation, said Signature filled prescriptions, in some cases from unlicensed doctors, knowing they had not met patients. His office said at least $250,000 in illegal and controlled substances were sold directly into Albany County, and New York State sales exceeded $10 million.

Nine people in three states have been arrested so far and as many as 24 could face felony charges.