Mets' Beltran confirms meeting with feds

[March 03, 2010]  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -- Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran talked to federal investigators last week about a Canadian doctor accused of selling an unapproved drug and said he recommended the physician to teammate Jose Reyes.

Beltran went to Toronto last summer seeking Dr. Anthony Galea's opinion on his bruised right knee, the All-Star said Tuesday. He worked with Galea for a month and felt better following a rehab program, but his knee regressed when he went home to Puerto Rico.

"I have nothing to worry (about), nothing to hide," Beltran said. "I just went there for an opinion for my knee."

Galea is facing four charges in Canada related to the drug known as Actovegin, which is extracted from calf's blood and used for healing. His assistant also has been charged in the U.S. for having HGH and another drug while crossing the border in September.

Investigators talked to Reyes last week. New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez said Monday that he had been contacted about the probe.

Galea is known for using a blood-spinning technique -- platelet-rich plasma therapy -- designed to speed recovery from injuries. Among the athletes he has treated are golfer Tiger Woods, swimmer Dara Torres and several NFL players.

The New York Times reported on its Web site Tuesday that authorities wanted to speak with Beltran and former Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado because another athlete said he was referred to Galea by the stars.

Beltran confirmed he recommended Galea to Reyes.

"When I was out, Reyes was one of the guys that was out also," he said, adding he told his teammate, "Reyes, give it a try. He helped with other athletes."

"So Reyes at the same time put his agent in contact with the doctor and they were in contact with the team," he said.

It was not known whether authorities had talked to Delgado, a free agent. David Sloane, Delgado's agent, declined comment when reached by The Associated Press.

Beltran, who was sidelined for 2 1/2 months last season with a painful bone bruise on his knee, said he heard about Galea from friends and he did not undergo the platelet-rich plasma therapy.

Beltran was accompanied by an attorney when he talked to investigators, who asked if Galea injected him with HGH.

"Of course, not," Beltran said at New York's spring facility.

Beltran got into a squabble with the Mets in January when he had his knee surgically repaired in Colorado. The club said he didn't have its consent for the operation while Beltran and his agent, Scott Boras, said it was approved and contended the Mets asked for a delay only after surgery had started.

Beltran said Galea worked with team doctors when he treated him.

Reyes confirmed Sunday that he had met with investigators. The shortstop, who missed much of last year with an injured right leg, said he didn't do anything wrong, and he just told the investigators on Thursday about the treatment he received from Galea last year.

Rodriguez said Monday he was "aware" of the investigation and plans to cooperate with the government. He declined comment when asked if he has been treated by Galea.

Galea was arrested Oct. 15 after a search warrant was executed at the Institute of Sports Medicine Health and Wellness Centre near Toronto. He is charged with selling Actovegin, conspiracy to import an unapproved drug, conspiracy to export a drug and smuggling goods into Canada.

His lawyer, Brian H. Greenspan, has said his client denies any wrongdoing. Greenspan also has said Galea has used HGH himself and prescribed it to non-athlete patients over the age of 40 to improve their quality of life, but said he has never given it to athletes.

The investigation into Galea began when his assistant, who often drove for the doctor, was stopped attempting to enter the United States from Canada.

Vials and ampules containing human growth hormone and Actovegin were found in a car driven by Mary Anne Catalano, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and U.S. federal court documents.

A person familiar with the Galea investigation told the AP it was being led by Department of Homeland Security, FBI and Food and Drug Administration agents out of Buffalo, N.Y., where Catalano was arrested Sept. 14, and that a grand jury could begin hearing testimony there within weeks.

The person, who was not authorized to release the information, spoke on condition of anonymity.

Kathleen Mehltretter, acting U.S. attorney in the western New York district, said she could not comment on an ongoing investigation.

[Associated Press; By JAY COHEN]

Associated Press writer Carolyn Thompson in Buffalo, N.Y., contributed to this report.

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