Indictment for Former Yankee Pitcher Roger Clemens
The years since 2008 must have passed for former pitcher Roger Clemens like one long, slow walk to the locker room after a particularly tough game. Since his testimony to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in February of '08, investigations based on his statements have been on-going. In the last 18 months, a grand jury investigation has reviewed witnesses and evidence against him. Now, on August 19, an indictment against Clemens has been announced. The former pitcher is charged with one count of obstruction of Congress, three counts of making false statements, and two counts of perjury.
The ordeal began for Clemens in 2008 with his Congressional testimony. He denied to the committee that he had ever used performance enhancing drugs with contradicting testimony coming from his former trainer, Brian McNamee, reports The Washington Post. McNamee made a deal with federal authorities and to avoid prosecution for steroid distribution.
About two weeks after the testimony ended, according to an extensive report by the New York Daily News, a Department of Justice investigation began. "After we reviewed the testimony it was clear there were some anomalies," Tom Davis the committee's ranking Republican told the Daily News, "and it was our job to make a referral in that situation. It's kind of sad."
In 2009, Clemens continued to deny allegations of drug use in an interview on ESPN.
Over the last 18 months, the Daily News reports, federal prosecutors have presented evidence and testimony on the charges of perjury and obstruction to a grand jury. Witnesses have included David Segui, Jason Grimsley and Jose Canseco.
Clemens' indictment must also be put into the context of some of the other charges around steroid use. Today's charges come more than a year after the Houston Astros' Miguel Tejada was charged with lying to federal investigators about the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
A late update from the Daily News shows Clemens continues to maintain his innocence. Today he tweeted: "I never took HGH or Steroids. And I did not lie to Congress. I look forward to challenging the Governments accusations, and hope people will keep an open mind until trial. I appreciate all the support I have been getting. I am happy to finally have my day in court. Rocket"
At the top of his game, pitcher Roger Clemens was a seven time Cy Young Award winner. He helped the Yankees to two World Series victories.
Related Resources:
- How Clemens will defend himself against perjury charge (Sports Illustrated)
- Roger Clemens indicted on charges of making false statements (Washington Post)
- Perjury (FindLaw)
- Roger Clemens Denies New Book's Claims, Calls Contents "Garbage" (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)