CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. -- A former business partner of Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa is facing charges that he conspired to sell illegal drugs and launder money, authorities said.

William A. Chase, 61, was arrested Thursday by Drug Enforcement Administration officers after he allegedly picked up 1,500 Ecstasy tablets from Charmaine Livingston, 40, of Lauderhill.

Chase was released Friday on $50,000 bond and did not comment as he left federal court in Fort Lauderdale. Livingston was also arrested on drug charges and was in federal custody Friday.

No home telephone numbers are listed for either Chase or Livingston, and it could not be determined Friday if either has an attorney.

According to DEA officials, Chase identified himself to officers as Sosa's godfather. Chase also told the DEA that he and Sosa are the co-directors of the Sosa Group Inc., an import-export company that deals with leather and sporting goods in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and the United States.

Chase is listed as president and director of Sosa Group Inc., according to the Florida Department of State's Web site. Sosa is listed as a director. However, Adam Katz, Sosa's agent, said Sosa does not have a relationship with Chase anymore.

``From our standpoint, the business relationship has been terminated for quite some time,'' Katz said. ``Sammy's had no business interaction with Bill Chase for years now.''

Two years ago, the Sammy Sosa Charitable Foundation -- a separate organization -- came under scrutiny after one of its founders claimed the organization was misusing its funds. Chase was the director of that foundation.

``It's inappropriate to comment on a speculative news report,'' Katz said. ``However, I will say that Sammy has not spoken to Bill Chase in about three years and the foundation has been closed for over two years.''

DEA spokesman Joe Kilmer said the investigation has not shown Sosa was involved with any illegal activities.

``We have no reason to believe Sammy Sosa is involved in any way, shape or form,'' Kilmer said.

In an affidavit, DEA special agent Jonathan Schleffer said Chase met with an undercover source on Sept. 25 at a restaurant. During the meeting, Chase said he would launder $25,000 worth of illegal drug proceeds in exchange for a commission, the document said.

Chase also told the DEA source that he was distributing thousands of Ecstasy pills each week, and provided three pills to the officer as proof, authorities said.

Chase was arrested Thursday in a parking lot in Tamarac while displaying a bag containing the 1,500 pills to the source. Chase allegedly got the tablets from Livingston earlier that day.

Chase had also given the DEA source three checks from the Sosa Group in amounts of $6,500, $7,500 and $9,000, police said. Chase kept $2,000 of the laundered money as his fee, police said.

Sosa batted .288 with 49 home runs and 108 RBI this season for the Cubs.