Report: Grand Jury Close to Indicting Bonds

The recent news of BALCO attorney Troy Ellerman getting sentenced to prison for two and a half years was making me wonder what was new in the federal investigation of Barry Bonds. Particularly, I was wondering whether or not Bonds would be indicted prior to breaking the home run record. Considering Bonds is at 753 and only three away from breaking Hank Aaron's record, he'll most likely break the record within the next few weeks. That is crucial for Barry given light of the most recent news. As Steroid Nation has pointed out, T.J. Quinn in the New York Daily News is reporting that the grand jury investigating Bonds has been extended six months and that they are close to an indictment.

The grand jury investigating Barry Bonds has been extended for another six months, several sources familiar with the government's case have told the Daily News, and the U.S. Attorney's office in San Francisco is confident it will have enough evidence to secure an indictment once it resumes in September.

"They seem to feel they have a strong case," said one source, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Another source said he believed prosecutors could secure an indictment if they sought one now, but that they would rather take the additional time to strengthen it. The grand jurors have not met for at least three weeks and have been instructed that they will not reconvene until September. Bonds is being investigated for perjury and tax evasion.

"If the case is 90% now, there's no reason not to go for 100%," the source said. "They aren't just waiting around for Greg Anderson."

Further sources say an indictment is almost sure to come:

"I think politically it would look terrible if they indicted him when he was one or two home runs away from breaking the record," one attorney with knowledge of the government's case said. "I think they'll let him break the record but I'd be very surprised if they don't indict."

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Barry Bonds testified to the grand jury that he took steroids but he thought it was flaxseed oil. He is being investigated by the grand jury for perjury of that testimony. If Bonds were to be indicted after September, that would certainly make for quite the off-season, and it would also make him the second star athlete to be indicted in a span of a few months, joining Michael Vick.

Chest Bump to Steroid Nation

Previously at FanHouse:
BALCO Attorney Troy Ellerman Gets 2.5 Year Prison Sentence
Barry Bonds News
Steroids News

Photos: Bonds Thru Time

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)

7-21-2007 @ 10:13AM

SportSnipe.com said...

Maybe Bonds and Vick will be cell mates here soon eh??
http://www.sportsnipe.com

7-21-2007 @ 10:14AM

dave said...

What a silly story. Extending the grand jury means they don't have a case and are hoping something else will shake out of the trees...and how are they going to get Bonds on perjury? Its all heresay unless they find an e mail or a reciept. Barry is not that stupid....well beyond being stupid in the first place for letting this happen. Tax evasion..oh my goodness. That puts him in good company in the sports world.

7-23-2007 @ 11:29PM

jimmyjam said...

Racism hasn't gone anywhere. You can't name one black when at the top of his profession, hasn't been attacked by white society. There's always something and that something gets magnified and blown out of proportion. Brry is not the only one and he is not the first one. Racism. Check yourselves!

7-21-2007 @ 10:46AM

ACE said...

This is a clear Witch Hunt driven by Bonds being a black man and him not being one to hide his true feelings. Mark McGwire tested positive for steriods and Selig covered it up, that has been proven. While Bonds has never tested positive for steroids and pays his taxes, lol. Next they will go after him for Jaywalking.

Other players have given testimony and signed statements on players like, Cal Ripken, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling, Mark McGwire, etc. NONE MENTIONED BONDS !!!!
But its still a head hunt for BONDS.

Watch out A-ROD your next when you approach Hank's record. Most of all this came into being when Bonds made the Babe Ruth statement about passing Ruth. MLB considers Ruth the greatest even though Hank had more HR's. Clear favorites I see.

7-21-2007 @ 10:56AM

7-21-2007 @ 11:19AM

Larry said...

To Spoortsnipe.com

Maybe they will be able to share a cell with Duke lacrosse players.........Oh yeah, they really didn't do it. Amazing how the media convicts instantly and can actually can be wrong!

7-21-2007 @ 12:09PM

Carl said...

If they have not yet then it's doubtful they have a strong case

7-21-2007 @ 12:10PM

# 4 What color is the sky in your world

7-21-2007 @ 12:16PM

CARL, the sky is blue. I just call it like I see it. I have to be honest. If it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, and has Duck DNA then its a DUCK. =)

Another message brought to you by:

ACE

7-21-2007 @ 1:01PM

radin said...

i've held back expressing my opinion on the steriod/bonds issue. the media and selig are killing baseball. for the record-- i don,t care. steriods, the the evolving similar compounds made to evade initial drug testing were used by many athletes (and race horses) for yesrs and were either encouraged or overlooked by all involved. my guess is more pitchers used them than hitters. to argue that all records should be junked during that era ignores that it still to hand eye coordination and a will to excel. i won,t even get into other factors that effected these records like the baseballs, the stadiums and the use of multiple relievers. i used to love baseball. i still admire barry bonds (and hank aaron) and am sorry for barry and his family. if indicted now, it would only add fuel to my perception of racism, from the top, (i.e. bush) who should himself been indicted for lying to justify a war designed to financilly benefit his friends and the multinational oil companies. baseball has killed its golden egg. basketball came very, vary close when it allowed nash to be delibertly man handled and then awared the spurs the series by default. stern was wrong and america was watching. give me football, even with the medias close scrutiny and the obvious occassional wild child. baseball and basketball, you did it to yourself and the whole world was watching. go seahawks!

7-21-2007 @ 12:48PM

Shane said...

Hello ACE, I love your posts. You were very good on the Sheffeild and Yankee issue about how Sheff was wrong and a liar and about people's outlook. And now you are so DEAD ON TARGET, with the Bonds issue. As a white-male I know this is true in the Bonds case. The MLB has sworn written and confirmed statements from former teammates and more for Cal Ripken and Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling and nothing was done to any of them. People always ask why does Clemens sit out so long at the start of a season, lol he's trying to get his system CLEAN

TWO THUMBS UP MR. ACE keep the messages coming

*im interested in what you think about Vick

I have your email from the Yankee story I will email you, I want some of your outlooks on life

7-21-2007 @ 1:00PM

SmarterThanYou said...

From what I hear the indictment is coming in the no later than October. T from WT confirmed as much on a radio broadcast this week. It was also communicated that more leaks could turn up as early as August.

7-22-2007 @ 11:29AM

doug said...

GIVE IT A REST!! It was 2003 when Bonds talked to grand jury about his use of "flaxseed oil" - If it takes the government this long to prove whether or not Bonds has perjured himself, I can't believe they have that strong of case. (i.e. another prosecutor who can't admit they don't have the evidence in a high profile case, Duke lacross ring a bell)

As for not paying taxes on autograph or memorabilia sales, not that unusual.
As for his record(s) - they should stand. Unless of course baseball is going to put ***'s by other HOFers such as Mike Schmidt and Gaylord Perry (admitted to use of amphetamines and the spitball)
Baseball never hesitated to capitalize financially on the McGwire's, Sosa's, Bonds and others who bombed away. The fact is Selig and the other owners needed these guys after his fiasco with the '94 World Series. Not only that, ESPN and FOX needed them, they also exploited these ballplayers for financial gain.
And finally, how come nobody has mentioned indicting Rafael Palmeiro. He was the one on television and before a congressional hearing. There he sat wagging a finger and proclaiming his innocence, and we all know how that finished.

7-21-2007 @ 1:05PM

Greg said...

You can't respect excuses

7-21-2007 @ 1:40PM

brandy said...

I agree Doug

7-21-2007 @ 1:44PM

SIRIFROMSF said...

Here we go again ... whenever a black athlete is under investigation or is caught doing something wrong, it's because of his race and somebody is persecuting him or her based strictly upon their skin color. It couldn't possibly be that Barry Bonds is simply a perjurer? When you lie to the federal grand jury, they're going to do everything in their power to nail you, whether you're black or white.

Just ask the attorney who leaked grand jury testimony, he's going to the joint for about three years.

As far as MLB having signed and sworn documents as to other players PED use, that's a crock, because the media would be all over something like that. Show me the source, cite me a reliable, VERIFIABLE source, not some blog, as to the existence of those documents.

And a last thought to all you die-hard Barroid supporters ...

Don't waste everybody's time with unsubstantiated facts; and don't waste everybody's time confusing your opinion with fact. You are more than entitled to your opinion, but that doesn't make your opinon true or factual.

7-21-2007 @ 3:09PM

Bob Ash said...

Racism, Racism, Racism, get over it. Everytime a black person beaks the law, it's because some whitie did him or her wrong. Every person is responsible for his or her own actions. We all know right from wrong. Its a conscience decision we all make when faced with that decision. Don't blame anyone else, just blame yourself. No one blamed blacks for Pete Rose when he was caught gambling. Get real people, this is the 21st century. Stop playing the race card, or move back to where your ancestors came from and shut the heck up.

7-30-2007 @ 5:24PM

JONASjonas said...

So your telling me they dont want another black man to break a black mans record

7-21-2007 @ 3:39PM

Mike said...

I am white and I know this is based on Bonds RACE mainly. LOL, get real RACISM is here and its from people like you. How about you go back to SPAIN then tell someone to go back. Because your ancestors are not from here either. Indians and Blacks built this country weather you like it or not.

7-21-2007 @ 3:45PM

highlandmg said...

OH Please

stop it POOR Barry. lets get real here he would push you down step over you and spit while your down. He could care less about you fight for someone who really needs to be fought for. Barry Bonds is gulity Its not a white/black or what ever issue.. Why is Pete Rose not in the HOF last time I looked he was white. No I hope Pete never gets in he is gulity of betting on baseball. If its a black think why is the great Hank not coming.