Trainer enlists agent for media deal Shane Charter is embroilled in the Stephen Dank, Essendon and AFL drug scandal. CONVICTED drug trafficker Shane Charter is doing media deals through celebrity agent Max Markson. A biochemist and personal trainer, Mr Charter has reportedly compiled a manuscript about his dealings with athletes and the underworld. He is at the centre of the drugs crisis gripping Australian sport, having supplied Bombers sports scientist Stephen Dank with peptides. Mr Dank, who has previously denied links with Mr Charter, ran Essendon's controversial supplement program, which is the subject of three separate investigations. He also worked with NRL teams and has business links with figures reportedly associated with bikies. Mr Charter, accompanied by a woman at his Sunbury home, initially refused to comment to the Herald Sun. Later in the day, he tried to promote a television program and referred inquiries to Sydney celebrity agent Markson. "What you're best to do is just watch ... and then speak to Max Markson," he said. Mr Charter also stood firm behind Essendon coach James Hird: "Anyone in their right mind would back Hirdy 100 per cent." Markson has represented accused criminals in the past, including underworld figure Mick Gatto. Mr Charter trained Hird and other AFL players in 2004, the year he was charged with bringing millions of dollars worth of steroids and pseudoephedrine into Australia. One of his former business partners in an anti-ageing clinic was charged as part of a police operation targeting officers with alleged links to Bandidos.