10-30-2004, 06:42 AM
Quote:
By Tom Farrey
ESPN.com
BALCO founder Victor Conte told federal investigators on the day his lab was raided in September 2003 that Barry Bonds was a regular visitor and that he gave the Giants slugger steroids, according to a memorandum summarizing the interview conducted by the Internal Revenue Service agent who headed the investigation.
The memo was submitted by the U.S. Attorney's office in San Francisco late Friday along with other documents. The government was attempting to defend charges by attorneys for four defendants charged in the case alleging that their clients were subjected to illegal searches and coerced by federal investigators.
Special agent Jeff Novitzky's memo states that Conte told him Bonds was one of the players trainer Greg Anderson brought to Conte to obtain two forms of steroids -- the previously undetectable THG and a testosterone-based ointment.
“ I have never given Barry Bonds anabolic steroids ... Anyone who says anything different is not telling the truth. ”
— Victor Conte told ESPN.com
However, 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.
In a separate interview, BALCO vice president James Valente also told investigators that Bonds used the two substances, but that Bonds did not like how the THG made him feel.
Bonds, who has not been indicted, has said through his attorney that he has not used steroids.
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 plead not guilty, and all four were unavailable for comment Friday night.
Anderson's attorney, Anna Ling, is seeking to suppress evidence and statements investigators said her client made. Ling cited alleged misconduct by Novitzky in filing search warrant affidavits, questioning of defendants and other matters related to the case.
Federal prosecutors countered Friday with their response, calling the arguments "meritless," adding "Anderson's statements are outright falsehoods."