| Memoranda of interviews |
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| Among the revealing documents made public in the BALCO criminal case Friday were accounts of interviews with key figures from Sept. 3, 2003, the day that federal investigators raided the Bay Area lab and the home of Barry Bonds' trainer. The comments of those people, each of whom would later be indicted on steroids distribution and other charges, were summarized by Internal Revenue Service lead investigator Jeff Novitzky in the form of official memos. To read the "Memorandum of Interview" for Greg Anderson, Bonds' trainer, click here. To read the memos summarizing the alleged statements given by BALCO founder Victor Conte Jr. and the vice president of the company, James Valente, click here. Bonds has repeatedly denied using steroids. Anderson, Valente and Conte contend that investigators fabricated their statements and are asking the judge to dismiss charges against them. --Tom Farrey, ESPN.com |
According to a memorandum summarizing the interview conducted by the Internal Revenue Service agent who headed the investigation, BALCO vice president James Valente told federal investigators on the day the lab was raided in September 2003 that the Giants slugger received alleged steroid substances, as did Valente's boss, lab founder Victor Conte.
In statements attributed to Valente in the memos, special agent Jeff Novitzky wrote, "Bonds has received 'the clear' and 'the cream' from BALCO on a 'couple of occasions.' According to Valente, Bonds does not like how 'the clear' makes him feel."
The designer steroid THG has been identified by BALCO founder Conte as "the clear," according to government attorneys. A testosterone-based ointment has been called "the cream." The summary of Valente's interview does not indicate whether Bonds stopped taking "the clear" due to his adverse body reaction.
Conte also told investigators that Bonds was a client of BALCO and that he had been given steroids, according to the investigators' memo of his interview. This had been previously reported, although Friday was the first time the document was submitted into the case file.
Bonds, who has not been indicted, has said through his attorney that he has not used steroids.
According to his interview summary, Valente told investigators that BALCO sometimes sent athletes' urine samples for steroid screening. Once, Jason and Jeremy Giambi tested positive for steroids in a test that BALCO arranged, Valente allegedly told the investigators.
Valente also said BALCO sent Bonds' blood to be tested, but the lab put the name of Greg Anderson, Bonds' personal trainer, on the test because Bonds didn't want to be associated with the test, according to the interview summary. Valente didn't tell agents the result of that test, according to the interview summary.
The federal agents also stated in their reports that they seized calendars and other documents detailing the use of steroids by professional baseball players during the search of Anderson's home. "Included among these files with apparent steroid distribution details was a folder for Barry Bonds," Novitzky wrote.
Anderson stopped his interview with investigators, allegedly saying "he didn't think he should be talking anymore because he didn't want to go to jail" after they confronted him with a file that appeared to detail steroid use by Bonds.
Anderson's attorney, Anna Ling, also has cited alleged misconduct by Novitzky in filing the search warrant affidavits, questioning of defendants and other matters related to the case.
| In statements attributed to BALCO vice president James Valente in the memos, special agent Jeff Novitzky wrote, "Bonds has received 'the clear' and 'the cream' from BALCO on a 'couple of occasions.' According to Valente, Bonds does not like how 'the clear' makes him feel." | ||
Federal prosecutors countered Friday, calling the arguments "meritless," adding that "Anderson's statements are outright falsehoods."
Troy Ellerman, attorney for Valente, told ESPN.com that he is upset that government attorneys released the interview summaries. He labeled as "absolutely false" the notion that Valente fingered Bonds as receiving steroids.
"The federal prosecutors are unadulterated punks and their conduct is going to be 'Exhibit A' to dismiss the case for outrageous government conduct," Ellerman said. "There's a protective order that everyone signs at the outset of the case. We haven't broken our promise. They have."
In a statement to ESPN.com late Friday, Conte denied telling investigators that he gave Bonds steroids.
"I have never given Barry Bonds anabolic steroids at any time. I have never even had a discussion with Bonds about anabolic steroids. Anyone who says anything different is not telling the truth. The memorandum of interview that was released to the media today is filled with information that was completely fabricated by law enforcement officers," Conte told ESPN.com.
The memos were submitted by the U.S. Attorney's office in San Francisco in an attempt by the government to defend against charges by attorneys for four defendants in the case alleging that their clients were subjected to illegal searches and coerced by federal investigators.
The typewritten memos summarizing the interviews cited other athletes who received steroids, including many already mentioned, such as baseball's Gary Sheffield, Benito Santiago and Jason Giambi; NFL players Bill Romanowski, Dana Stubblefield, Barrett Robbins and Johnnie Morton; and track stars Marion Jones and Tim Montgomery.
Conte, Anderson, Valente and track coach Remi Korchemny, are charged with distributing steroids, including the previously undetectable THG, to top athletes. Charges also include possession of human growth hormone, misbranding drugs with intent to defraud and money laundering. They have pleaded not guilty.
Al I can think of is that complex legal term... DUH
You know that there are many strong men around.
That doesn't mean they can hit a round ball with a round bat, and hit it squarely. It takes hand eye co ordination, timing, technique, and who knows what else. Give Barry his due, He is the best hitter ever.