An estimated 20 agents from the FBI and IRS on Wednesday raided the home of the mother-in-law of Greg Anderson, Barry Bonds' former trainer.
"It's the government run amok," attorney Mark Geragos said of the search, which he claimed was "a not-so-transparent attempt to intimidate" Anderson and push him to testify in the player's upcoming perjury trial.
Geragos said the raid resulted in the wrongful seizure of personal items and mementos. "Even the Mafia spares the women and children," the attorney complained.
The agents' search came after federal law enforcement authorities last week subpoenaed Anderson, 44, to appear as a prosecution witness at Bonds' March 2 trial in San Francisco, Geragos said.
Geragos said he received a letter Monday from the U.S. Attorney "demanding to know if Greg would testify."
Geragos said he was under no legal burden to respond, so he didn't.
Officials at the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Francisco were not immediately available for comment.
-- Lance Pugmire
SOCCER
Beckham hints at staying in Italy
David Beckham is enjoying his stay with AC Milan so much that he is considering remaining in Italy after his two-month loan expires.
"Playing here is the dream of every footballer," Beckham said in an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera. "But deciding isn't easy. It's a question that takes time."
Beckham's loan from the Galaxy expires March 8.
On Wednesday, Beckham scored on a free kick with England Coach Fabio Capello looking on, but Diego Milito tied it with three minutes left and AC Milan settled for a 1-1 draw with Genoa.
Newcastle forward Michael Owen cracked an ankle bone and will be sidelined for at least six weeks.
BASEBALL
Garland has deal with Arizona
Free-agent right-hander Jon Garland, who pitched for the Angels last season, and the Arizona Diamondbacks have reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract that includes a club option for 2010, a deal that would guarantee the pitcher about $7 million.
Pitcher Aaron Heilman was traded from the Seattle Mariners to the Chicago Cubs, who gave up utility infielder Ronny Cedeno and left-hander Garrett Olson, who had just been acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles. . . . Texas Rangers reliever Joaquin Benoit is expected to miss at least half of the 2009 season after surgery to repair a torn right rotator cuff.
ETC.
