The Federal Government Continues to Pursue the Prosecution of Steroid Related Cases
The federal government seems to be as relentless as ever in its pursuit to prosecute individuals that are involved with the BALCO steroid investigation. If one is not familiar with the details of the investigation they may think that the government is actually targeting the dealers of steroids. However, this is simply not the case. Nearly every prosecution thus far involving the BALCO investigation has been as a result of the individuals making false statements to the investigators. Lying to a federal agent is a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001 and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
An Anonymous Tip Backfires
The latest to feel the brunt of the federal government’s wrath regarding the BALCO case is whistle blower Trevor Graham. The investigation at BALCO was actually launched after Graham tipped authorities with an anonymous package containing a used syringe full of a mysterious substance. After an investigation, agents later traced the package back to Graham.
Graham was indicted for making false statements after federal investigators said he lied to them in an interview in 2004 concerning contact he supposedly had with a confessed steroid dealer. On May 29, 2008, Graham was convicted on one count of lying to investigators, but the jury deadlocked on two other charges of making false statements. Graham is scheduled to be sentenced on September 5.
Ironically, Graham was the coach of convicted ex-gold medalist Marion Jones is currently serving a six month prison term for false statements she made to federal investigators involving her use of steroids.
A Star Falls
Perhaps the most notable defendant of the BALCO scandal is baseball homerun king Barry Bonds. A federal grand jury indicted Bonds in November 2007 on four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice, claiming that he lied when he told the grand jury that he did not knowingly use performance-enhancing drugs. On May 13, 2008, federal prosecutors filed an additional 15 felony charges against Bonds in a new superseding indictment featuring 14 perjury counts and one count of obstructing justice. Bonds, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, denied any wrongdoing and has never tested positive for steroids or other banned drugs.
Despite the greater number of counts, the superseding indictment alleges no other false statements than the original indictment. Bonds faces a maximum sentence of five years if convicted but with the way federal sentencing guidelines are structured, it is doubtful that he would serve any additional time if found guilty on the greater number of counts. Bonds trial date has not been formally set but is expected to take place in late 2008 or early 2009.