Doctor Sentenced in Panthers’ Illegal Steroids Case

The doctor who pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally prescribe steroids to several Carolina Panthers players was sentenced Monday to one year and one day in prison.

James Shortt pleaded guilty in March to one federal count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids and human growth hormone. Prosecutors have said current and former members of the Panthers were some of Shortt’s patients.

As part of the plea deal, prosecutors dropped 42 other counts against Shortt.

Chief U.S. District Judge Joe Anderson ordered Shortt to pay the minimum fine, $500, and a $100 special assessment. He also will serve two years on supervised release.

The maximum sentence for the charge was five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Shortt also faces a state criminal investigation in the 2004 death of a Minnesota woman who died three days after receiving intravenous hydrogen peroxide to help her multiple sclerosis.

The South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners revoked Shortt’s medical license in May.

Anderson delayed the date on which Shortt must report for prison until the conclusion of any possible appeals, which Anderson said were “almost certain.”

Shortt has 10 days to appeal. His lawyer, federal public defender Allen Burnside, wouldn’t comment Monday.

Shortt acknowledged he “went beyond the boundaries that I should” in writing the prescriptions to pro athletes.

“My intention was to help them reach their goals,” he said.