Paul Alexander Askew, a 46-year-old resident of Jacksonville, has been indicted on charges of conspiracy to influence major international sports competitions through doping. The federal indictment alleges that between July 10, 2023, and January 31, 2024, Askew worked with others to provide performance enhancing drugs to an athlete. The competitions named in the indictment include the 2023 Ed Murphey Classic, the 2023 Xiamen Diamond League, the 2023 Prefontaine Classic, the 2024 American Outdoor Track and Field Championship, the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, the 2024 United States Olympics Trials, and the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
If convicted, Askew faces up to ten years in federal prison. The indictment also states that the United States intends to forfeit assets allegedly connected to proceeds from the offense. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced these charges.
"An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty."
The Drug Enforcement Administration is leading the investigation with support from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Patrick M. Flanigan will prosecute the case.
