LeBron James was briefly investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration
The DEA investigation into steroid distribution ultimately cleared James of wrongdoing
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The Drug Enforcement Administration came across LeBron James’ name as part of the agency’s 2013 Biogenesis investigation into allegations of performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports, according to federal documents obtained by ESPN.
The investigation ultimately led to an acquittal for James, who was playing for the Miami Heat at the time.
“There was never any indication that LeBron James did anything wrong,” the lead DEA investigator told ESPN.
James was brought into the investigation because he had ties to two other suspects: the NBA star’s former coach David Alexander and his longtime friend and manager Randy Mims.
The DEA claims to have discovered that Mims had obtained testosterone for personal use from a dealer named Carlos Acevedo. Mims was allegedly referred to Acevedo by Alexander.
LeBron James and Randy Mims arrive at the 2014 South Beach Battioke at the Fillmore Miami Beach
The DEA claims Mims obtained testosterone for personal use from Carlos Acevedo (pictured)
Mims was reportedly a customer of Acevedo for only a few months.
‘[He’s] “Apparently an overweight guy,” Kevin Stanfill of the DEA told ESPN. “And he went to him [Acevedo] about the possibility of getting testosterone treatment drugs, which they gave to a group of overweight men in Miami and they lost a lot of weight.”
James did not know he was ever under investigation, the player’s representative told ESPN.
Acevedo is a former business partner of Tony Bosch who was at the center of the Biogenesis investigation that led to the suspension of dozens of MLB players, including Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun and Nelson Cruz.
The results of the investigation also revealed that WWE superstar Paul “The Big Show” Wight and former boxing champion Shannon Briggs.
The DEA told ESPN that it did not file charges against the athletes based on its findings.
“Our focus was on the dealers and suppliers of the drugs,” said Mark Trouville, the DEA special agent in charge of the Florida office during the Biogenesis investigation.
“The DEA does not work cases to take action against users. … We’re looking for people who distribute drugs. We never worry about the consumer.’
