RE:Roger Clemens..... |
Subject: RE:Roger Clemens..... by FLYINLOW90 on 2008/2/13 21:30:15 Roger Clemens lied: congressman Larry DiTore and Danielle Sessa, Bloomberg News, Windsor Star Published: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 Roger Clemens lied to congressional investigators and has made other statements that are untrue in his denials of the accusations that he used steroids and human growth hormone, U.S. Representative Henry Waxman said today. "During his deposition, he made statements that we know are untrue," Waxman, the Democratic chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, said at the hearing on drugs in baseball. "In other areas, his statements are contradicted by other credible witnesses or are simply implausible." Waxman and Representative Tom Davis, the committee's ranking Republican, said after the hearing that they had made no decision on recommending action by federal prosecutors on perjury. Major League Baseball pitcher Roger Clemens leaves after testifying about allegations of steroid use by professional ball palyers before the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Capitol Hill February 13, 2008 in Washington, DC. The 'Mitchell Report' named several former and current major league baseball players, including Clemens, who are accused of using steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs.View Larger Image View Larger Image Major League Baseball pitcher Roger Clemens leaves after testifying about allegations of steroid use by professional ball palyers before the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Capitol Hill February 13, 2008 in Washington, DC. The 'Mitchell Report' named several former and current major league baseball players, including Clemens, who are accused of using steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images Email to a friendEmail to a friendPrinter friendlyPrinter friendly Font: * * * * * * * * AddThis Social Bookmark Button Former trainer Brian McNamee told the panel that he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone 20 times, four more than he initially reported to investigators. Clemens, an All-Star pitcher, repeatedly denied to the committee that he ever used performance-enhancing drugs. McNamee testified that he told the truth about Clemens's use of performance enhancers, and said the seven-time Cy Young Award winner's denials are lies. "I injected those drugs into the body of Roger Clemens at his direction," McNamee said. "Unfortunately Roger has denied this and has led a full-court attack on my credibility. I have no reason to lie, and every reason not to." Pettitte's Statement Andy Pettitte, a former teammate of Clemens who also worked with McNamee, confirmed McNamee's testimony that the trainer had injected him with HGH in an affidavit given to the committee. McNamee's recollection that Clemens attended a party hosted by former baseball player Jose Canseco was one area questioned by several committee members. Later, Waxman said Clemens's former nanny, who was interviewed by the committee, supported McNamee's claim on the attendance. Clemens, McNamee and Charles P. Scheeler, a lawyer who worked on former Senator George Mitchell's report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball, shared the dais at today's hearing in Washington. The panel was investigating steroid use in Major League Baseball for the second time since the report released in December by Mitchell said performance-enhancing drugs in the sport were widespread. The report identified almost 90 players with links to drug use, including Clemens, Pettitte and Chuck Knoblauch, another former teammate with the New York Yankees. `Never Used Drugs' "I have never used steroids, human growth hormone, or any other type of illegal performance-enhancing drugs," Clemens said. "I think these types of drugs should play no role in athletics at any level and I fully support Senator Mitchell's conclusions that steroids have no place in baseball." Today's hearing, which adjourned after over 4 1/2 hours of questioning, included suggestions from Representative Chris Shays that McNamee's actions were no different than those of a drug dealer; assertions from Representative Elijah Cummings that Clemens's testimony wasn't credible; and ended with Waxman gaveling down an interruption from Clemens as the chairman tried to make his closing statement. Waxman said in opening remarks that Knoblauch had confirmed McNamee's statements that the trainer injected him with HGH. The chairman also said Knoblauch told the committee he used the drug himself on other occasions. Pettitte, excused from testifying today, played a part in the hearing via a deposition and affidavit. Pettitte's Presence Cummings used Pettitte's testimony, which was shown on two large television screens in the hearing room, in his questioning of Clemens. He asked Clemens repeatedly if Pettitte was telling the truth when he said Clemens told him that he used HGH. Clemens said numerous times that Pettitte "misremembered." McNamee, under questioning from Representative Dan Burton, admitted to lying repeatedly to reporters writing about steroids in baseball. Burton also raised doubts about the Canseco party, citing evidence provided by Clemens's attorneys that the pitcher was playing golf at the time of the gathering. McNamee told the committee today that he remembered seeing Clemens at Canseco's party. Later, Waxman said Clemens's former nanny remembered Clemens, his wife and his children not only being at Canseco's house, but also staying overnight. Waxman also went on to say that the actions of Clemens, who spoke with the nanny prior to the committee's interview, "raises the appearance of impropriety." Perjury Penalties With McNamee saying he injected Clemens with steroids and Clemens denying the claims, perjury charges may be brought against either if the committee believes one of them is lying. Perjury or making false statements to federal agents both carry penalties of up to five years in jail. Miguel Tejada is the subject of an FBI probe for possibly lying to congressional staffers about using steroids. At the committee's first hearing on the baseball's drug issue on Jan. 15, Waxman and Davis requested the FBI to investigate the Houston Astros' shortstop after he was named in the Mitchell report. Mitchell said McNamee told his investigation that the trainer injected Clemens with steroids or human growth hormone at least 16 times between 1998 and 2001. McNamee also said he gave HGH to Pettitte in 2002 and Knoblauch in 2001. Clemens has said McNamee only injected him with vitamin B- 12 and the painkiller Lidocaine. The former trainer denied the claims in today's opening statement. Pettitte said he took HGH, agreeing with McNamee's statements. Vials, Needles Last month, McNamee gave federal investigators vials, syringes and bloody gauze that he said he used to inject Clemens with steroids in 2001. Photos of the evidence were handed over to the committee last week. Clemens's lawyer Rusty Hardin said the evidence was "manufactured trash and waste." Clemens met with more than half of the 40 members of the committee since last week to personally present his case. McNamee was required to tell Mitchell the truth as part of a deal he struck with the U.S. Attorney's office to avoid prosecution. If McNamee lied to Mitchell, he may be charged with criminal violations including making false statements. -With reporting by Lorraine Woellert in Washington. Editor: Larry Siddons, Michael Sillup. © Windsor Star 2008 COMMENTS ON THIS STORY Add Your Comment Add Your Comment The Rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. You must have a javascript enabled browser to submit a comment. Your Name Your Comment Ads by Google Human Growth HormoneWhich Ones Really Work? We List The Top HGH Products!www.HGH-Advisory.com Baseball MitchellSee List of Players in Mitchell Report with the Free News ToolbarNews.Starware.com Alternative to SteroidsBlack Powder is a powerful and legal alternative to steroids.www.mrihq.com/blackpowder_special |