Controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank who masterminded peptide scandal which brought Essendon and Cronulla football clubs to their knees is hit with new charges – and it could have major ramifications for players
- Stephen Dank was involved in AFL and NRL supplement scandals in 2016
- The sports scientist is facing fresh charges in the Northern Territory
- The charges are linked to working at an anti-aging clinic in Darwin in 2017
Disgraced sports scientist Stephen Dank has been accused of causing serious harm, among other charges relating to his time working at a Darwin anti-ageing clinic.
Dank is facing fraud offences and charges of recklessly endangering serious harm and causing serious harm while working at the Ageless Health Clinic NT in 2017, NT police said in a statement.
The 56-year-old was the architect of AFL club Essendon’s 2012 supplements regime, which led to 34 players being suspended from competition in 2016 after they were found to have been injected with a banned substance Thymosin beta-4.
Disgraced sports scientist Stephen Dank has been accused of causing serious harm, among other charges relating to his time working at a Darwin anti-ageing clinic
The biochemist was also involved in the NRL supplements scandal involving the injecting of two growth hormone-releasing peptides at Cronulla, resulting in a 12-month ban for coach Shane Flanagan and 12 players.
He has been summoned to appear at the Darwin Local Court on December 18.
Ageless Health Clinics NT states on its website that it supplies medically administered anti-ageing and cosmetic treatments.
Management at the clinic would not comment on Tuesday.
Player-manager Peter Jess, who represents former Bomber Nathan Lovett-Murray who is challenging the verdict against him, told News Corp newspapers the charges against Dank placed fresh doubt on what was given to players and the potential health implications.
‘It raises obvious concerns from my point of view. Were there any other supplements / drugs that were given?’ Mr Jess said.
‘I don’t think there’s any possibility he injected them with thyamosin beta-4. It wasn’t in the country.’
Dank was targeted in a drive-by shooting and suffered a graze injury when a bullet fragment hit his forehead after six shots were fired at his Melbourne home in the middle of the night in July 2016.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ageless Health Clinics NT for comment.
The supplements scandal also led to the fall from grace of former Essendon coach James Hird (pictured with wife)