December 1, 2007 (Montreal, QC) — Dr. Maurice Duquette, who allegedly supplied Genevieve Jeanson (formerly with RONA) with erythropoietin (EPO), had his case rejected this week by the Supreme Court of Canada, the Quebec College of Physicians and Surgeons announced and as reported in both La Presse and The Gazette.

In a complicated legal saga, Duquette – whose practice is based in Old Montreal – initially confessed to the College’s disciplinary committee in 2003 to providing EPO to 11 patients, including Jeanson, prior to reneging on his confession in 2004. This set in motion a series of decisions by the committee, Quebec’s Tribunal of Professions, Quebec Superior Court, and now the Supreme Court of Canada, with the latter refusing to hear Duquette’s case and ordering him to pay court costs. This most recent decision exhausts all of Duquette’s legal options and he must now face whatever punishment that the College will decide upon.

Duquette argued that he only confessed to escape a media circus which was ruining his life and that he did not understand the legal consequences of doing so. These arguments were rejected by the Quebec Superior Court. Duquette may have reneged on his confession because of pressure from Jeanson’s entourage writes La Presse. Despite persistent rumours, Jeanson strongly denied ever taking EPO until admitting it publicly on Sept. 20. Jeanson now confesses to taking EPO “almost all her career,” beginning at the age of 16. She has named Duquette as the doctor who initially provided it for her. Jeanson, 26, has since retired from professional cycling. The other patients involved are apparently not athletes.

EPO boosts red blood cell production and is on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s list of banned substances for athletes. It nonetheless has therapeutic uses, especially in treating anaemia.