It’s been almost 8 years since the BALCO investigation ended but have you ever wondered what happened to the people involved in this very controversial case? The case served as an eye opener for the anti-doping authorities and sports organizations in the country. It also led to the conviction of several people who were involved in the distribution of designer steroids. Professional athletes were sanctioned, banned and forfeited their records. Some of them were even jailed for lying about steroid use. It was considered as one of the successful effort of the government in dismantling the dangerous distribution of steroids to professional athletes.

The BALCO

BALCO or the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative was once a popular company for professional athletes in the country. BALCO provided them with products that effectively improve performance and at the same time goes undetected in the drug testing. Most of the players were given “the clear” and “the cream.” These were designer steroids produced by BALCO under the supervision of its founder Victor Conte.

What happened to Conte? The BALCO founder spent time in jail after pleading guilty to illegal distribution of anabolic steroids. After serving his jail time, Conte established another supplement company, SNAC Nutrition. He now claims that all his products are clean of any designer steroid. He is also working with the US Anti-Doping Agency in its effort to curtail the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs in sports.

Conte is also working as training and conditioning coach of some prominent athletes. Some of the athletes who are currently using the supplements and services of Conte are WBC boxing champion Nonito Donaire and Chicago Cubs center fielder Marlon Byrd. Both players are being criticized for working with Conte but they are not worried about a possible positive steroid test. They believe the supplements from Conte are clean of any banned substances.

Other personalities connected to BALCO were chemist Patrick Arnold and Greg Anderson, the former trainer of Barry Bonds. Arnold was jailed for 4 months. He was responsible for the creation of the designer steroid THG that was undetected at that time. He is now working for supplement companies E-Pharm Nutrition and Prototype Nutrition. According to Mercury News, Arnold criticized the government for wasting money on prosecuting Bonds.

Coaches and Trainers

Coaches and trainers were also responsible why many professional athletes were involved in the BALCO case. They introduced BALCO products to their players. Some of these players contend they don’t know that the supplements were tainted with steroids. Greg Anderson is facing contempt because of his continued refusal in testifying against Barry Bonds. He may end up in jail for the third time. Anderson is also reported to be working with Conte.

Track and field coach Trevor Graham is banned in the sport and given a year of house arrest after he lied to BALCO investigators. He was reported doing a part time job as a school bus driver. Sprint coach Remi Korchemny was sentenced to 1 year probation. He retired in the tract and field in 2007 as part of a deal with the USADA. He is now working with Conte and part of the coaching team of boxing champ Donaire.

The Professional Athletes

The clients of BALCO came from the different field of sports. Some of the athletes who lost their career because of their ties with the company were Olympian sprinters Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery, and Antonio Pettigrew. Jones is building her new career in the WNBA. She is also active in outreach projects helping students. She recently published a book “On the Right Track.”

Montgomery is currently serving his jail time for his involvement in check fraud and dealing with prohibited drug. Pettigrew committed suicide last August. These players were both stripped off their medals and records.

The former NFL star player Bill Romanowski who also admitted taking supplements from BALCO is now running Nutrition53, a supplement company. Baseball’s home run king Barry Bonds also took supplements from BALCO but he persists he did not knowingly use anabolic steroids. He is facing perjury, giving false statements, and obstruction of Congress. His trial starts on March 21.

Other professional athletes who were involved in the BALCO case were Olympian sprinter Alvin Harrison, Regina Jacob, Shane Mosley and Jason Giambi.

The Steroid Hunters

And who will forget the chief investigator in the BALCO case. The IRS agent Jeff Novitsky became well known for his uncanny methods in digging evidences in the BALCO case. He is now connected with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and currently handling another controversial case, the doping in cycling which involved Lance Armstrong.

Another well known figure in the anti-doping investigation is Don Catlin of the UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory. He is now the CEO of Anti-Doping Research. His latest publication has alarmed health experts because Catlin’s research showed that anybody can still purchase steroids from online sites particularly Amazon. A report from SI also insinuated that Catlin may have helped Armstrong cover his positive drug tests in the 1990’s which Catlin denied.

The law firm and the house committee that investigated baseball’s steroid problem filed a motion to quash the subpoena from Roger Clemens that requires them to provide pertinent documents from the 2007 Mitchell investigation and February 2008 steroid hearings.

The law firm DLA Piper contends that the information that is being requested is covered by attorney-client privilege. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform also argued that the evidences, testimonies and other documents in their possession are protected by the constitutional separation of powers between the judiciary and the legislative departments. This is a sad news for the defense because they believe those documents can help Clemens prove that he did not commit perjury.

The subpoena covers interview summaries, notes and memorandums related to the investigation. Several baseball personalities were included in that subpoena like steroid whistleblower Jose Canseco and former team mate Andrew Pettite. Information from former trainer Brian McNamee and New York Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski were also requested. McNamee, who is the primary witness of the prosecution, told the Mitchell investigators that he injected Clemens with steroids several times as part of his training regimen. He also said Radomski provided the performance enhancing drugs. For a full list of names that were included in the subpoena, you can view it here.

Former US Senator George Mitchell worked with the law firm DLA Piper LLC in the 2007 investigation of the alleged rampant use of anabolic steroids in the major league. They came out with a report that named several baseball players who were involved in the use of performance enhancing drugs. Roger Clemens was one of them but the star pitcher denied it when he testified in a Congressional hearing in 2008.

While the law firm insists that most of the materials requested by Clemens are covered by attorney confidentiality rules, they still provided Clemens with 5 documents according to the Associated Press. It is not yet clear whether these documents would be significant for the defense team.

Specific Documents from the DLA Piper Law Firm

1. a letter to Canseco requesting his cooperation in the investigation,
2. an e-mail exchange with Canseco’s attorney setting dates for an interview,
3. a letter Mitchell sent to Canseco’s attorney requesting access to his medical data,
4. a declaration that a DLA Piper attorney wrote regarding the firm’s interviews of McNamee and
5. a letter to Radomski reimbursing him for $36 in parking fees.

At least 20 documents are still classified as confidential. The law firm asked the court to prevent Clemens in accessing these internal records. AP reported that some of these were the notes and memos from McNamee, Radomski and Canseco interviews. A summary of telephone conversation with Canseco’s lawyer detailing the slugger’s purchases of steroids online was also covered by attorney-client privilege.

A hearing on April 21 was set by US District Judge Reggie Walton to hear the arguments of the concerned parties. The defense and the prosecution both declined to comment on this latest development in the Roger Clemens perjury case. A gag order was issued by Judge Walton prohibiting both sides in making public statements.

The use of anabolic steroids is common to bodybuilders and professional athletes. They are the usual clients of steroid distributors in the country. However, targeting high school students as the main customer is an alarming situation. A recent case of illegal steroid distribution showed that a man from Danburry, Conn. sold these drugs to high school students in the area. In the report of the Danbury News Times, the suspect was doing this business for several years already.

Steroids are potent drugs. If it is used without proper supervision from doctors it could lead to severe side effects. What more if it is being used by students who are susceptible to drug abuse. Research shows that young students tend to experiment with drugs and use them to enhance image rather than to improve performance in sports.

Court documents obtained by the media showed that Mansa sold anabolic steroids mostly to high school athletes. It includes, but not limited to, Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca Durabolin) and Testosterone Cypionate. These steroids are commonly used to develop leaner and bigger muscles.

The investigation which was spearheaded by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) and local authorities revealed that Mansa was able to sell at least 70 bottles of steroids every month. Every bottle contains 200 milliliters of steroids priced at $90 each.

According to the authorities, the suspect, who is a businessman from Bethel, also sold marijuana in the Danbury area. Mark Mansa, 46 was arrested together with the other suspects and held in jail with no bail. Three others were also charged because of their participation in the illegal steroid distribution ring.

They are Richard Sciaccetano and Kevin Lubic. Sciaccetano is allegedly connected to the Bonnano crime family and Lubic is a member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle club in New Rochelle, N.Y. according to investigators. Another suspect is expected to surrender and his identity is still being withheld by the authorities.

The head of this steroid distribution ring faces nine counts of indictment. Aside from the conspiracy to distribute steroids, Mansa was also charged in the illegal distribution of marijuana. On the other hand, the other two suspects were only charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Lubic pleads not guilty on the charges before Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons of the U.S. District Magistrate court. If convicted he could face a life sentence. On the other hand, Mansa is expected to be arraigned in Bridgeport on March 23 and expected to plead not guilty on the charges.

Though this could be considered as another successful operation of the DEA and the local law enforcement agency, the length of the investigation was too long. It was reported that the authorities spent 5 years in investigating Mansa for his illegal steroid distribution business. The suspect also bragged about his connections with the police according to a witness.

Until now, the use of steroids in professional sports is still a problem of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Though they are continuously doing research on how to detect new types of steroids, dopers are always one step ahead particularly in beating the doping test implemented by the agency and other member sport organizations. WADA head David Howman has already thought possible solutions to this problem but it would be very difficult to materialize.

In an anti-doping conference held at Twickenham rugby stadium, Howman revealed that majority of steroid trade is controlled by the criminal underworld and suggested that each countries should implement their own comprehensive anti-doping policies to eradicate the use of performance enhancing drugs in the sports. The conference was sponsored by the World Sports Law Report.

Howman said that his sources from the Interpol and other law enforcement agencies revealed that the illegal distribution of anabolic steroid is still rampant. It is controlled by syndicates who are also involved in illegal betting. His sources are credible because they are experienced and knowledgeable on these issues. “They say the underworld is involved in betting, in distributing steroids and it’s the same jokers, it’s not anybody new,” Howman said. “I have been saying this for five or six years and now INTERPOL are justifying it. They now have the numbers and the information and they are really worried about it.”

Why is it that the world of sport is now a vulnerable target of syndicates? The answer is simple; there are still a lot of professional athletes who turn to steroids to enhance their performance to achieve their goals. According to Howman, another reason is the money involved in the trafficking of steroids. Some lawless elements are now shifting to steroids trade because it is more profitable than heroin.

Inadequacies in Testing and Analysis

Wada director general David Howman also claimed that other anti-doping agencies around the world have inadequate testing policies. Some anti-doping officials are not determined to go after those doping athletes especially with borderline cases. He understands that anti-doping scientists don’t want to be bothered by appeals and criticisms but it would not help deter athletes from taking banned substances. “It’s human nature. You get a borderline case and you think, ‘what are the implications going to be [if it is a positive result]? It’s going to be challenged, therefore I am going to be before a tribunal, I’m going to be rigorously cross-examined, I’m days away from the office’. All those sorts of things go through a human’s mind,” he told BBC Sport.

He gave as an example the case of Marion Jones, an Olympic gold medalist in the track and field. Jones was able to dominate her sport for several years without being caught. She was forced to admit steroid use when federal authorities were able to get evidences of her doping.

Howman’s Solution

The WADA head suggested that different countries should test each other to eradicate the use of steroids in the sport. “Why don’t we get France to drug test Germany and Germany to drug test France?” he said. “Perhaps there would be more enthusiasm for catching cheats from another country,” he added. Though this solution may be a brilliant one, do you think member countries would be amenable to this proposal?

Chicago Cubs center fielder Marlon Byrd admits that the MLB is not happy with his professional relationship with Victor Conte. The commissioner already discussed this matter to Byrd and urges the Cubs’ star player to severe ties with the former BALCO founder. Conte was the center of a federal investigation when his company was involved in distributing designer steroids to professional athletes which include several baseball players. After Conte’s release from jail, he again established a nutritional company. Though Conte is now doing business the legal way, there are some who are still skeptical about the contents of his products.

Commissioner Selig Not Happy

In a recent trip to Meza, Arizona, Commissioner Bud Selig confirmed to the media that they talked to Byrd about his connection with Conte. “We’ve talked to him, and he knows how we feel,” said Selig. “It’s not a situation that makes me very happy,” he added.

Byrd is not only depending on Conte’s supplements but the latter is also his personal strength and conditioning coach. Conte is offering state of the art training regimen to professional athletes including sprinter Dwain Chambers and WBC boxing champion Nonito Donaire. Donaire is also facing the same dilemma with Byrd. People still doubt Conte’s products which may be tainted with steroids. Both players have not failed in any steroid test and their connection with Conte may ruin their career.

Byrd told the ESPN that the pressure from the major league bothers him sometimes. “But I think there should be pressure on everybody,” he said. But he is confident that he is not going to be one of those players caught taking steroids.

“I’m always going to watch what I take. I’m not going to say I have a bull’s-eye on my back, but I think a lot of people are waiting for me to get my first positive test and miss 50 games. They’d like that just so they can say, ‘We told you so,’ Byrd said.

Byrd Confident Steroids Not on His System

The Cubs star player assured the fans that this speculation will not happen. “I know that won’t happen. I know I’m clean. I know the supplements I take are clean. I’m going to make sure of that,” he said. The attention of the major league is centered on Byrd because he is the only major leaguer dealing with Victor Conte.

The confidence of Marlon Byrd on Conte could be attributed to their long professional relationship. For several years now, Byrd has not been caught with any illegal performance enhancing drugs even if he’s taking the supplements from Conte. He also believes that Conte is reformed and would not do anything that would harm his reputation again. Conte wants to be a leader in helping professional athletes improve performance through legal methods.

Byrd admitted that the league talked about this issue since 2009.

Union Issues

Commissioner Selig also told the media that they already initiated talks with the union to avoid a possible lockout similar to the NFL. Another meeting is scheduled next week in Arizona. “We’re starting to work quietly and peacefully,” Selig said. “There used to be a lot of public statements and people banging on each other. While negotiations will be tough and we’ll have difference of opinion, we’ll do it in a constructive manner,” Selig said.

After the comprehensive report made by the Star Ledger, the state’s largest newspaper, lawmakers proposed several bills to counter the widespread use of steroids by law enforcement officers and firefighters. And this week, the NJ Assembly approved the proposed legislation which will require all New Jersey pharmacists to submit monthly reports on prescriptions for the human growth hormone.

Lawmakers hope that this measure will deter police officers in the state to take or abuse human growth hormone. HGH is not a controlled substance but many sports organizations around the world prohibit its use because of its performance enhancing benefits. It is also being marketed as an anti-aging elixir which makes it popular even to non-athletes like law enforcement officers and other professionals.

New Jersey has a prescription monitoring program in place. However, prescription for human growth hormone is not included. If this proposed measure will become a law, the state can monitor dispensed HGH for most outpatient cases. Law enforcement officers who may have obtained a prescription for HGH but not through legal means can be easily traced with this measure.

Lawmakers in New Jersey also want to stop the unethical practice of police officers in the state. Based on the investigative report of the Star Ledger, hundreds and even thousands of law enforcement officers in the state used their health benefits in obtaining anabolic steroid or human growth hormone through a Jersey City doctor. They were alarmed because some of these officers were linked to aggressive arrests and reckless behavior.

Herb Conaway, the major proponent of the bill, told the AP that steroid abuse is frightening from both public policy and public health perspective. “Taxpayers have been stung and public safety has been put at risk, as has the health of the abusers. We cannot sit idly by and let this abuse continue. This bill is a step in the proper direction.”

The misuse of human growth hormone and steroids can cause health risks to the people who are using it said the Assemblyman. He also added that abuse of these drugs can pose danger to other people who might become a victim of users who are experiencing negative side effects of the drugs.

Other lawmakers who are also supporting the bill are Deputy Assembly Speaker John McKeon, Ruben Ramos Jr. of Hoboken and Valerie Vainieri Huttle of Englewood. It was unanimously approved in January by the Health and Senior Services Committee.

Meanwhile, the Senate version of the bill is still way behind from being approved. A similar bill was initiated by Senator Loretta Weinberg of Bergen. Though the bill was already referred to the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens committee, a hearing has not been scheduled.

Human growth hormone is not illegal but it should only be used for specific medical purpose. The use of HGH for image and performance enhancing still needs more clinical studies and can be abused by some because of lack of medical supervision.