Big Win Against Fraudulent Supplement Company

Ultimate Fighting Championship contender, Yoel Romero, was awarded $27.5 million in a law suit against Goldstar Performance Products for a contaminated supplement that caused Romero to be suspended from competition.

Cuban native and UFC middleweight contender, Romero, is known for his successful wrestling career and his silver medal at the 2000 Olympics in freestyle wrestling. He represented Cuba in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, and also medaled in five world championships in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He obtained a more infamous status in 2016 when he failed a drug test for illegal doping. However, following an investigation by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, it was discovered that Romero had taken a supplement called Shed Rx created by the supplement company, Goldstar Performance Products. This supplement contained a substance called ibutamoren, a simulated growth hormone that is banned in professional sporting competitions. However, the warning label did not disclose that the supplement contained ibutamoren.

Romero was suspended from competition for 6 months following the failed drug test. When the hidden ingredient in the supplement was found, Romero filed a lawsuit against Goldstar Performance Products. Romero is represented by attorneys Jeffrey S. Craig of Craig, Annin & Baxter, LLP, of Woodbury, New Jersey; Howard L. Jacobs of the Law Offices of Howard L. Jacobs, of Westlake Village, California; and R. Daniel Fleck of The Spence Law Firm, LLC, of Jackson, Wyoming. The complaint alleges negligence, strict products liability, breach of implied warranties, intentional misrepresentation, and violation of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.

The Honorable Carlia M. Brady in a New Jersey state court handed down a judgment in May of this year in favor of Romero. He was awarded $27.5 million in damages for lost wages and contract losses, damage to reputation, and emotional distress. "From his wrestling world championship to the Olympics to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Yoel's journey has been long, successful, and truthful. Winning this case was another important step forward for him in setting the record straight," said Jacobs.

Co-counsel Craig said, "This win helps clear Yoel's name. Before and after this unfortunate incident, he strived to train and perform to the best of his ability – and within the rules. He paid a high price, from lost professional opportunities to reputational damages, because of this supplement company's misconduct."

The result of the case was a win not only for Romero, but also for other athletes facing similar issues. "Illegal design, production, and marketing of training supplements is a serious problem. This case and Yoel's win should send a message to the supplement industry: if you recklessly endanger athletes – whether they are amateurs or world elites – you will face harsh consequences," said Fleck.

The case was filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex County as Yoel Romero v. Goldstar Performance Products, et al., Civil Action MID-L-007287-17.