"In the Balco case, numerous athletes were interviewed by federal investigators and summoned before a federal grand jury to answer questions about their knowledge of Balco and its steroid-distribution activities."
Michael Schmidt and Ian Austen follow up their original story revealing Dr. Anthony Galea's troubles, with similar details to what we learned earlier today from ESPN.com's Mike Fish, as well as confirmation of Steve Elling's report on a possible Florida investigation into Tiger's in-home treatment administered by the unlicensed Galea.
However, Tiger may want to pay attention to this reminder from Schmidt and Austen:
It was seven years ago that the federal government began its first major investigation into the distribution of such drugs to athletes. That investigation was sparked by the decision of Jeff Novitzky, an Internal Revenue Service agent, to rummage through the trash of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative in the middle of the night.
What remains to be seen is whether the search of the car will become the equivalent of Novitzky’s search of the trash, leading to disclosures that match those that grew out of the lengthy, and now legendary, Balco investigation.What remains to be seen is whether the search of the car will become the equivalent of Novitzky’s search of the trash, leading to disclosures that match those that grew out of the lengthy, and now legendary, Balco investigation.
In the Balco case, numerous athletes were interviewed by federal investigators and summoned before a federal grand jury to answer questions about their knowledge of Balco and its steroid-distribution activities. The athletes were not targets of the investigation, but some, including Barry Bonds, were charged with lying to either investigators or the grand jury and some, including Marion Jones, went to prison as a result.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 07:28 PM
Reader Comments (8)
Are we ready to say that this guy's luck has turned?
Long live Jack!
Think about it: without Tiger, we might still be playing wound balls with 250cc metal or, if we wished, persimmon drivers on courses that tip out at 6900 yards and yet are still considered "championship-caliber" that you can get on for under 100 bucks.
Not to mention that Arnie and Jack could still tee it up at Augusta, Corey Pavin would be competitive, Camillo Villegas would be on the Nationwide Tour, and Kenny Perry would only have four career wins.
Of course, then we might not have a fourth course (or a second or a third) at Bandon or Castle Stuart, Cape Kidnappers or Erin Hills, but we wouldn't have Liberty National, either.
I suppose that's all ridiculous thinking.
Novitzky is no Serpico...Conte got four months while Graham enjoyed a year of house arrest for his troubles.
As for Tiger, it's never good to have the FBI and the RCMP looking into your doctor's practice. But how in the name of Young Tom Morris did Tiger and his posse (I'm lookin' at you, Steiny) ever think that it was a good idea to be treated by this sketchy doc who is not licensed in Florida? I'm just sayin'...A simple google search reveals "clinics" right there in the Sunshine State that do same thing, and brag about it...Sheesh.
NRH: True, but what happened to Marion Jones and Barry Bonds?
Ky, I've given expert opinions on a few medical malpractice liability cases, and I have been surprised that even among attorneys who are involved with doctors on a regular basis, the understanding of medical issues is not as deep as I'd expect. Just as attorneys will hire some cockamamie doctors with questionable credentials who makes outlandish statements to act as plaintiffs' experts in some cases, I'm guessing, if they were involved, Tiger's lawyers were probably wowed by Galea's self-promoting bullcrap. And that's what it is. He's a carny. Or is it Carney?
http://deadspin.com/5427249/new-york-times-gets-a-piece-of-the-tiger-action-with-its-hysterical-ped-story