Romanowski Is Acquitted in Prescription Drug Case

Denver Bronco linebacker Bill Romanowski was acquitted Friday on charges of illegally obtaining prescription diet pills.

Romanowski, 35, was accused of obtaining phentermine from prescriptions written for his wife and two other people during the 1998 NFL season. Investigators said Romanowski used phentermine, a drug that is not banned by the NFL, to enhance his play.

“I am just so thankful to the jury that they found us not guilty,” Romanowski said, fighting back tears after the jury at Douglas County District Court found him innocent. “I take a lot of pride in being a good person and being a role model, and a lot of that was in question in the last two years.”

Jeff Springer, one of Romanowski’s attorneys, said the trial has taken its toll on the player and his family. “This has been a terrible, terrible ordeal,” Springer said. Prosecutors declined comment, but district attorney spokesman Michael Knight said a trial was necessary.

“We felt we needed to bring this to a jury for the community to have a chance to speak,” Knight said.

Romanowski was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and deceit, and two counts of conspiracy.

Romanowski’s wife, Julie, is scheduled to go on trial Aug. 14 on eight counts of illegally obtaining phentermine and one of conspiracy.