Roger Clemens' denials of drug use reportedly subject of grand jury
At issue are the Cy Young winner's statements before Congress, during which he denied using performance-enhancing drugs. ESPN.com says witnesses may be subpoenaed as soon as this week.
Roger Clemens' denials of performance-enhancing drug use to Congress will now be examined by a federal grand jury, according to a report, leaving the seven-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher under the cloud of a possible indictment and prison time if it's proved he lied.
"This is an opportunity for vindication," said Earl Ward, an attorney for Clemens' former trainer, Brian McNamee.
McNamee is being sued in civil court by Clemens after the former Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees trainer told investigators that he had injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone during the pitcher's playing career. McNamee's attorney calls the lawsuit "frivolous" and says the retired pitcher "should drop the lawsuit and focus on whatever allegations and charges are coming against him now."
ESPN.com first reported today that a federal grand jury in Washington has been convened, with witnesses being subpoenaed to provide testimony as soon as this week, with evidence presented by U.S. Atty. Daniel P. Butler.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office in Washington said Butler was declining to comment and that the office would have "no comment on pending matters." Clemens' attorney, Rusty Hardin, told ESPN.com he had "no knowledge" of a grand jury.
McNamee has yet to receive a subpoena, his attorney said, but among others likely to be summoned for testimony are drug supplier and ex-New York Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski, investigators who worked for former Sen. George Mitchell's 2007 report on performance-enhancing drug use in baseball and perhaps Clemens' ex-teammate Andy Pettitte. Radomski has given investigators an overnight-shipping receipt for a package of HGH he sent to Clemens' Houston home, and McNamee turned over needles and bloody gauze pads he claims were used in Clemens' injections.
In his Feb. 13, 2008, appearance before Congress, Clemens testified under oath that McNamee was not telling the truth.
"Let me be clear: I have never taken steroids or HGH," Clemens said.
lance.pugmire@latimes.com
