Report: Galea's ex-assistant backs Tiger

Published Jul. 12, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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An attorney for a key witness in the case against high-profile Canadian sports doctor Anthony Galea said Tiger Woods never received performance-enhancing drugs during his treatment with Galea, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.

In an email to the newspaper, the attorney, Rod Personius, writes, "I tell you categorically that Tiger did NOT receive either banned or performance enhancing drugs when treating with Dr. Galea."

Personius represents Mary Anne Catalano, Galea's former assistant who has cooperated with federal authorities in the drug-smuggling case.

Galea, 51, pleaded guilty last week in a Buffalo federal court to transporting performance-enhancing drugs, including human-growth hormone, into the United States. The Toronto-based doctor faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

According to a report by the Buffalo News last week, prosecutors will recommend a lesser sentence since Galea cooperated with authorities.

His plea deal came two years after Catalano was caught with the mislabeled drugs at a Buffalo border crossing as she tried to enter the country from Canada. She pleaded guilty to making false statements to authorities and will be sentenced later this month, according to the Daily News.

Woods, who has always denied using any performance-enhancing drugs in his career, visited Galea to receive a blood-spinning procedure to speed his rehab from 2008 knee surgery. Many other athletes have visited Galea over the years to have the blood-spinning procedure performed, including Jose Reyes and Alex Rodriguez.

Personius added that he believes it is unfair that Woods has been subjected to continuing speculation about illegal drug use.

"The suggestion in the media through speculation that he did [receive PEDs from Galea], while perhaps understandable given the vagueness of the currently available information, is both irresponsible and grossly unfair," Personius said, according to the paper.

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