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Pharmacist, nurse guilty of helping former Steelers doc distribute steroids

PITTSBURGH — A pharmacist and a nurse who worked for him have pleaded guilty to charges that they helped a former Pittsburgh Steelers team doctor illegally distribute anabolic steroids.

The pharmacist, 46-year-old William Sadowski, and a nurse who researched steroids for him, 51-year-old John Gavin, pleaded guilty Monday before a federal judge in Pittsburgh.

Both are charged with helping Dr. Richard Rydze (ridz) illegally distribute the body-building substances and other drugs.

Rydze has pleaded not guilty to the alleged steroids conspiracy that began a few months after the Steelers cut Rydze from their medical staff in 2007. The team and Rydze have previously said he didn't supply steroids to Steelers players.

Sentencing guidelines show Sadowski faces about three years in prison when he's sentenced in February and Gavin less than two years, though his attorney will argue for probation.