Victor Conte, the founder of BALCO, the man who created the designer steroid controversy, the man who hurt the U.S. Olympia teams, baseball, football and many others with his role in the great steroid scandal, pleaded guilty.
So what did the government get after years of time, hard work, hundreds of thousands of dollars of manpower, scare tactics, and time out for going after a steroid person instead of hardcore drugs. Victor Conte Jr., pleaded to one count each of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids, and money laundering. And what will be get for this. Only 4 months of prison (in a minimum security prison like Martha Stewart) and 4 months in home detention.
Also, BALCO vp James Valente, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge, and he will get probation with no time in jail. Greg Anderson, Barry Bond's personal trainer, also pleaded guilty to pleaded to one count each of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids, and money laundering.
THG, or tetrahydragestrinone, was the special designer steroid that they used to allegedly help lots of professional in getting an edge in their specialty sport. Jason Giambi, Shane Mosely, Marian Jones, and others all allegedly received this special concoction.
The most interesting part of the plea bargains is that these guys do no have to help the government or prosecutors anymore. It has a special noncooperation provision in it, which I personally have not heard about before.
However, if Judge Illston decided to give them a harsher sentence, then the pleas for Victor Conte and James Valente can be withdrawn. For Greg Anderson, he may get six months in jail or more, which was not been decided yet.
For past stories, here are some links:
BALCO, Victor Conte, $772,000, and a letter to President Bush
DEA Agents at the Arnold Classic