According to AFP, Jeannie Longo’s husband Patrice Ciprelli, purchased EPO 15 times since 2007 for a total of 15,000 euros, or around $20,000. French gendarmes have possession of two bills from May and June 2011 for 500 euros each for two EPO purchases. When searching their apartment at Alpe d’Huez they found a note with a password which enabled the gendarmes to access the internet account where he made the purchases. There was a Turkish pharmacy on the island of Maurice involved in the process.
Ciprelli has claimed the EPO was for himself, to help him ride better following an accident. He says not all the transactions were completed and he only purchased 5 times for up to 2500 euros. Authorities say EPO is the wrong medicine for what he claims his needs were.
If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a 75,000 euro fine.
