BREAKING: Barry Bonds Indicted

[larrymcg421]

CNBC just reported that Barry Bonds has been indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice.

[MikeVic]

What does that mean?

[Young Drachma]

What does that mean?

That people can rejoice because finally, America's Enemy #1 will be thrown in jail and have the book thrown at him, for his horrible, egregious crime against humanity.

[MikeVic]

That people can rejoice because finally, America's Enemy #1 will be thrown in jail and have the book thrown at him, for his horrible, egregious crime against humanity.

Ohh ok. Will he get the asterisk now too?

[Atocep]

That people can rejoice because finally, America's Enemy #1 will be thrown in jail and have the book thrown at him, for his horrible, egregious crime against humanity.

Whether or not the crimes deserved this much attention from the feds or not, Bonds was given immunity and still decided to lie to the grand jury. He made his bed.

[Brillig]

Yeah, and his testimony was supposed to be confidential too, and we know how that worked out.

[Atocep]

Yeah, and his testimony was supposed to be confidential too, and we know how that worked out.

Wasn't the feds fault there. That was defense attourneys.

Doesn't change the fact that he could have walked away and not had to worry about the feds but instead decided to lie anyways.

[Young Drachma]

That Game of Shadows guy has really cashed in on this. ESPN hired him as a reporter.

[FBPro]

Yeah, I'm really broken up over it..........

[Kodos]

Perjuring yourself is always a good idea.

[Jas_lov]

Good.

[miami_fan]

The "Vick indicted" thread went for 23 pages.

What is the over/under on this one?

[MikeVic]

I think this topic has been talked about a lot already. I'll give the over/under at -5.5

[MrBug708]

Wasn't Rick Anderson released? He obviously talked because without him turning, the feds case was going to be hard to prove.

[EagleFan]

Wow, you mean Bonds lied about steroids? What next, we'll find out the sun is hot?

[TroyF]

That Game of Shadows guy has really cashed in on this. ESPN hired him as a reporter.

Guess I'm trying to find where your frustration is coming here.

The Game of Shadows guy cashed in long before this. They were already respected newspaper reporters. ESPN is hiring him to talk about this because he has more information on Bonds than anyone other than Bonds himself or the federal investigators. ESPN is making a smart hire here.

As for Bonds, he lied to a grand jury. This isn't about some witch hunt. If you go lie to a grand jury tomorrow, you'll be facing the same perjury charges. If you know the feds are after you and you choose to lie to them, you can expect them to come after you. I don't care if you're Bonds, TroyF or Dark Cloud. All he has to do is prove reasonable doubt here. If he can do that, he'll be off and you can chastise all of us. He has one problem though: Take a peak at federal charges and how often they get convictions. Then take a peak at how often they get convictions when they actually go to trial. 90+% win rate. Bonds is in a world of trouble here.

[Buccaneer]

My intense dislike for Bonds goes back to about 1997 when in a long article, he dissed baseball and threatened to walk away from the game when he is done. Despite all of the crap Willie Mays had to endure, he became an ambassador for baseball. Bonds acted/acts like a sulking woman intersped with racist fits (as per the motivation for juicing up) that there can be little wonder he is so dislike, esp. after getting the money and, in certain quarters, the glory. It is my wish that he never gets more than 25% HOF votes, just like McGwire.

[Young Drachma]

Guess I'm trying to find where your frustration is coming here.

The Game of Shadows guy cashed in long before this. They were already respected newspaper reporters. ESPN is hiring him to talk about this because he has more information on Bonds than anyone other than Bonds himself or the federal investigators. ESPN is making a smart hire here.

As for Bonds, he lied to a grand jury. This isn't about some witch hunt. If you go lie to a grand jury tomorrow, you'll be facing the same perjury charges. If you know the feds are after you and you choose to lie to them, you can expect them to come after you. I don't care if you're Bonds, TroyF or Dark Cloud. All he has to do is prove reasonable doubt here. If he can do that, he'll be off and you can chastise all of us. He has one problem though: Take a peak at federal charges and how often they get convictions. Then take a peak at how often they get convictions when they actually go to trial. 90+% win rate. Bonds is in a world of trouble here.

No one said I begrudged him for his success.

It was just an observation, since he was on ESPN at that moment and they announced that he was an investigative reporter for ESPN now. Given how much he's on, that would make sense.

Barry's made his own bed and now he has to lay in it. I don't hate him and I'm the first one to lament stupid athletes making poor decisions and then crying racism.

And that's despite my own personal feelings about this entire case.

[Young Drachma]

That said, it seems to me this thing stopped being an "investigation" a long time ago and turned into a witch hunt. And these reporters go on TV, they don't have semblance of objectivity and so, while the cult of personality reigns supreme in today's media..it doesn't mean I have to appreciate it, like it or respect what they do.

Because I don't. No more than I respect Bonds for ruining his own life in the public eye.

But it's not my problem, thank goodness.

[jeff061]

It really doesn't bother me if people lacking any morals or responsibility are crapping all over Bonds. No matter what their motives are.

[MizzouRah]

Wow, you mean Bonds lied about steroids? What next, we'll find out the sun is hot?

If the sun could type it would say, "please stop causing problems".

[Maple Leafs]

Ohh ok. Will he get the asterisk now too?
No, but his cell mate will be getting a new ass-to-rip.

[sterlingice]

As an aside, in a half year, is this thread still going to be called "BREAKING" like when Headline News calls has the banner "Breaking News" around some minor update 183 days after the fact for a story about an attractive woman who went missing and police just found her cell phone or something?


SI

[Toddzilla]

Holy crap! Who saw that coming?

:rolleyes: x 1,000,000

[Atocep]

Wasn't Rick Anderson released? He obviously talked because without him turning, the feds case was going to be hard to prove.

Yes, in a stunning coincidence, Greg Anderson was released the day Bonds was indicted.

As for the case, according to legal experts I've heard speak, they had enough to get a conviction without Anderson but if they could get him to testify then it becomes a no-brainer.

All of that was based on the assumption that the paper trail that is discussed in Game of Shadows was correct.

[14ers]

A month after being released by San Francisco, Barry Bonds is indicted on 3 year old charges? Coencidence, I think not!



This has corruption written all over it. Someone in San Francisco managed to have this burried for 3 years. When this case goes before a jury, Barry's attourneys will be throwing the facts out the window and be pointing the finger at everyone that had this case delayed so Bonds could continue to play for the Giants.

[Buccaneer]

"Someone in San Francisco" meaning the Giants organization?

[Rizon]

In other surprising news: Lance Bass is gay.

[Philliesfan980]

I just have a weird feeling that no matter what, he doesn't do a day of jail time. Does anyone else feel the same way?

[JonInMiddleGA]

I just have a weird feeling that no matter what, he doesn't do a day of jail time. Does anyone else feel the same way?

Easiest call ever.

[Young Drachma]

Roger Cossack seems way too happy about this.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

A month after being released by San Francisco, Barry Bonds is indicted on 3 year old charges? Coencidence, I think not!



This has corruption written all over it. Someone in San Francisco managed to have this burried for 3 years. When this case goes before a jury, Barry's attourneys will be throwing the facts out the window and be pointing the finger at everyone that had this case delayed so Bonds could continue to play for the Giants.

Look no farther than the former local US Attorney there and Alberto G. The local guy was one of the 9 ditched by Bush and Alberto is now gone. The probe was initially started by Ashcroft's office, and they were gung ho about it apparently. Things kind of died on the vine under Alberto.

I don't by any means say there was corruption just a different set of priorities by the people at DOJ.

[14ers]

Getting back to the MLB; I wonder what the odds are that Barry Bonds could be looking at a possible Lifetime Ban?

If Bonds lied to Bud Selig in those meeting about Balco and his steroid use and hampered MLB's own investigation by lying, or worse yet, providing Balco with information from his metting with the MLB, could he be facing the same fate as shoeless Joe Jackson?

[Brillig]

That would require Selig to grow a spine.

[miami_fan]

Getting back to the MLB; I wonder what the odds are that Barry Bonds could be looking at a possible Lifetime Ban?

If Bonds lied to Bud Selig in those meeting about Balco and his steroid use and hampered MLB's own investigation by lying, or worse yet, providing Balco with information from his metting with the MLB, could he be facing the same fate as shoeless Joe Jackson?

Why? He is a free agent right now and after this indictment no one is signing him. I suspect he will announce his retirement so that he can "devote all his time and energy to vigorously defend himself against this false charges."

I wonder how this affects the Mitchell report.

[SirFozzie]

BTW, on ESPN News on the way home from work, I listened to Stephen A Smith basically come just about this close to calling it a lynching, and a racial hate crime. What a fucking twit.

[Buccaneer]

This is very cool. All traces of Bonds erased from AT&T Park (from the local NBC station). :)

SAN FRANCISCO -- It didn’t matter if it said "PacBell," "SBC," or "AT&T" on the outside; to many San Francisco Giants fans, the ballpark on the city’s waterfront was always known as "The House That Barry Built."

But now, less than a year removed from Barry Bonds’ setting of the all-time, home-run record, the average fan will have a hard to finding evidence that the slugger ever played there. His name, his image, as well as any mention of his feat, have been scrubbed from AT&T Park.

Wednesday was Media Day at the ballpark; a chance for reporters and photographers to get a look at what changes have been made to the stadium since last season. The NBC11 photographer who attended the event said biggest change was what’s no longer there.


During the run-up to the home-run record last season, there were multiple banners hanging around the ballpark celebrating the chase. There was also a mural featuring Bonds running the length of the left field wall. All that is gone. There is not a single visible reference, not even a small plaque, commemorating the accomplishment. <TABLE class=storyAd cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=storyAdObj><!-- Begin Ad tag: square--><SCRIPT> </SCRIPT><NOSCRIPT>[Ad: sponsor] (http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/ibs.bay.news/national;kw=news+square+15723519;ad=true;pgtype=detail;tile=5;sz=300x250;ord=123456789?)</NOSCRIPT><!-- End Ad tag: square--></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Bonds, who played left field for the Giants for 15 years, broke Henry Aaron’s home run record when he hit number 756 on August 7, 2007.

Bonds was not re-signed by the club after the 2007 season. Bonds’ agent, Jeff Borris, has been quoted as saying Bonds has not retired and would still like to play, but no team has signed him for the 2008 season.


For all his success on the field and in the batter’s box, though, Bonds tenure with the Giants was highly controversial. For years, Bonds has been dogged by allegations of steroid use, and was recently indicted on charges he lied to a federal grand jury about the matter.


If the stadium is any sign, it appears the Giants would like the make their separation from Bonds as clean and as clear as possible.

[Lathum]

Pretty low class move by the Giants IMO

[rowech]

I hate Bonds more than anybody but it's total bullshit what the Giants are doing. They praised him, embraced him, and most importantly made a boatload of money because of him. They used him and then they want to pretend they weren't part of it. Give me a break. I have no respect for that team.

[jeff061]

I'm ok with the Giants doing it. I don't care how much money he made them. I want everyone disowning that asshole.

I am surprised though, I thought Giants fans had all rallied around and stayed behind that putz, no?

[Lathum]

I'm ok with the Giants doing it. I don't care how much money he made them. I want everyone disowning that asshole.

I am surprised though, I thought Giants fans had all rallied around stayed behind that putz, no?

you act like he is the only one who is guilty.

I am by no means a Bonds fan or defending him, but there are alot of other players just as guilty. Probably some on your favorite team.

[jeff061]

No I don't. My feelings would extend to anyone else, especially on the Sox. I couldn't root for them if I knew otherwise.

That said, Bonds being such a dick just adds that little extra something special.

[Bad-example]

That article was written in March I am guessing. I recall a Chronicle columnist bashing the Giants over this issue about the same time. I don't think the Giants are doing anything wrong here. They marketed the hell out of Barry while he was on the team. Now that he is gone but not officially retired, it makes sense they would do away with the Bonds marketing stuff and move on to the current task of promoting this year's team.

Once Barry's legal and employment situations become settled, I fully expect the Giants will honor Bonds with a day where they dedicate a plaque or bust or some such. But that is the sort of thing that only happens after a player is retired and has come to an amicable understanding (read: $$) with the club.

[Buccaneer]

Once Barry's legal and employment situations become settled, I fully expect the Giants will honor Bonds with a day where they dedicate a plaque or bust or some such. But that is the sort of thing that only happens after a player is retired and has come to an amicable understanding (read: $$) with the club.

I would expect that as well.

[Bad-example]

I am surprised though, I thought Giants fans had all rallied around and stayed behind that putz, no?

Indeed. We had a meeting and decided to put up a front of unity for him. :rolleyes:

[jeff061]

I don't know about the meeting, I didn't get the invite, but the latter seemed to be true over the course of the last couple seasons.

[gstelmack]

you act like he is the only one who is guilty.

I am by no means a Bonds fan or defending him, but there are alot of other players just as guilty. Probably some on your favorite team.

You don't see the same gnashing of teeth over Clemens by Sox fans (and I'd say Clemens is getting similar treatment to Bonds) because they disowned him a LONG time ago...

[ISiddiqui]

You don't see the same gnashing of teeth over Clemens by Sox fans (and I'd say Clemens is getting similar treatment to Bonds) because they disowned him a LONG time ago...

Only because of the way he jumped ship. Not because of his steroids stuff. Wait till it comes out that Ortiz was on the roids ;).

[Passacaglia]

So...what did he indicate?

[molson]

If you believe everyone is on steroids, you'd be right more than not.

Much like market disparity, I've given up and have decided not to give a shit anymore. The MLB product is what it is, and I still enjoy it. Actually, I enjoy it more without getting all upset about crap like 'roids all the time.

[Buccaneer]

Do you think McGwire or Bonds or Clemens would have gotten their records without HGH and other performance enhancers? I think that's the crux of the issue, in addition to Bonds long-time dissing of the game. It just seems more tainted since baseball's records are somewhat elevated.

[jeff061]

Bonds and Clemens no way. The crap they take is all about recovery time and keeps them productive well beyond their prime.

McGwire I tend to think not, if only because several players around that time were hitting for ridiculous power that all but disappeared, but in my opinion performance enchancers have more impact over a career than a single season.

[DaddyTorgo]

bumpity cuz maybe i missed this?


A urine sample that Barry Bonds submitted as part of Major League Baseball's anonymous testing program in 2003 has come back positive for PEDs, according to a New York Times report.
Bonds provided samples that did not test positive under that program, but the samples were re-examined by federal authorities after they were seized in a 2004 raid, The Times reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Citing a person who has reviewed the evidence in the case, The Times reported last week that authorities detected anabolic steroids in urine samples linked to Bonds that they gathered in their investigation. It remains unclear, the newspaper said, whether the '03 urine sample and the samples seized in the feds' raid in '04 are the same.

[RainMaker]

If it was anonymous testing, how could they know which one was his? Isn't the whole point of anonymous testing is that it can't be determined who gave what urine?

[Young Drachma]

If it was anonymous testing, how could they know which one was his? Isn't the whole point of anonymous testing is that it can't be determined who gave what urine?

I don't understand how they didn't come back positive in MLB's testing, but the feds found drugs in it a year later.

And it's taken them this long to bring this out. It seems they're hell bent on bringing him down. Not to say he's not guilty...just saying, the US attorneys handling this ought to find a new line of work, given the stories having come out of this thing.

[DaddyTorgo]

If it was anonymous testing, how could they know which one was his? Isn't the whole point of anonymous testing is that it can't be determined who gave what urine?

they're blind samples - not anonymous

[RainMaker]

I don't understand how they didn't come back positive in MLB's testing, but the feds found drugs in it a year later.

And it's taken them this long to bring this out. It seems they're hell bent on bringing him down. Not to say he's not guilty...just saying, the US attorneys handling this ought to find a new line of work, given the stories having come out of this thing.

The Feds work slow, that's nothing new. I do think it's a personal vendetta, but that's just how they work. Once they have a bullseye on you, you're done.

My guess is that MLB testing hid the results. I have no doubt in my mind that MLB testing has been a scam. They throw a bone out there every so often but won't allow their big stars to get eaten up. Bonds could have shot steroids in his ass in front of Bud Selig and gotten away with it.

[DaddyTorgo]

The Feds work slow, that's nothing new. I do think it's a personal vendetta, but that's just how they work. Once they have a bullseye on you, you're done.

My guess is that MLB testing hid the results. I have no doubt in my mind that MLB testing has been a scam. They throw a bone out there every so often but won't allow their big stars to get eaten up. Bonds could have shot steroids in his ass in front of Bud Selig and gotten away with it.

if the general conclusion is that MLB testing hid the results and is a scam (which i agree with) then at some point i guess we hope congress calls them on it for that reason, since there's no doubt that what we as fans want doesn't really matter to MLB.

[CU Tiger]

here is the interesting part. The substance found in the clear was not made illegal or placed on a federal ban list until 2005 IOW his sample MAY have tested positive for anabolics, but the way they were synthesized were perfectly legal in 03... that said I hope he hangs for general career long ass hatery

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

I thought the 2003 testing was blind and for informational purpose (to set certain penalties once real testing began the next year). This would explain why Bonds wasn't punished.

[SirFozzie]

If this evidence goes, I don't see how they can get a conviction.

Bonds' judge may exclude positive tests - MLB - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-bonds-steroids&prov=ap&type=lgns)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—A federal judge overseeing Barry Bonds’ criminal case says her “preliminary thoughts” are to exclude from trial three positive drug tests, though she’s inclined to keep a recorded conversation between Bonds’ personal trainer and former personal assistant discussing steroid use.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston said during an evidentiary hearing Thursday that she was leaning toward excluding the results seized by investigators during a BALCO raid unless there is direct testimony tying the urine samples to Bonds

[QuikSand]

Seriously, at this point, is a conviction in a perjury trial really important? Say the judge tosses all this evidence, and the prosecution has no case. Will any of us really change our minds? Spare me.

Barry Bonds is who we thought he was.

[Samdari]

If this evidence goes, I don't see how they can get a conviction.

Bonds' judge may exclude positive tests - MLB - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-bonds-steroids&prov=ap&type=lgns)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—A federal judge overseeing Barry Bonds’ criminal case says her “preliminary thoughts” are to exclude from trial three positive drug tests, though she’s inclined to keep a recorded conversation between Bonds’ personal trainer and former personal assistant discussing steroid use.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston said during an evidentiary hearing Thursday that she was leaning toward excluding the results seized by investigators during a BALCO raid unless there is direct testimony tying the urine samples to Bonds

Well, perjury is one of the hardest crimes to prove, since it requires proving what the defendent knew.

"I didn't understand the question" is a catch-all, hard to refute defense.

But, they sure as hell have enough to prove Bonds was a habutual user of PED's. Which seems like it was the point all along. For what purpose, I cannot guess.

[SirFozzie]

It may not mean a lot for you and me, but for the government, and the fight against PED's/Steroids, if they can't get a conviction here, it's going to make prosecuting anything else pretty much impossible. Consider how much they've invested in this case, and all the stops they're trying to pull out to get this conviction.

[Logan]

How many convictions are they going after for people who haven't been physically caught with steroids or documents linking them to steroids (ie BALCO raid)?

[rkmsuf]

Bonds has the greatest defense ever.

SUPPRESS ALL EVIDENCE


why didn't I think of that

[QuikSand]

It may not mean a lot for you and me, but for the government, and the fight against PED's/Steroids, if they can't get a conviction here, it's going to make prosecuting anything else pretty much impossible. Consider how much they've invested in this case, and all the stops they're trying to pull out to get this conviction.

I really disagree. They are prosecuting him for perjury - and that's a bitch. Future prosecutions for actual illegal possession or use of substances shouldn't be too tragically affected by a failure here, I don't think.

And I agree with the speaker above - to trash his name surely seems to be a main objective, and I think that is working nicely, regardless of the judge's possible findings.

[RainMaker]

While I think Bonds is a vile piece of lying trash, I still don't think this case is right. They've sunk a ton of resources into a silly perjury case. Now it's looking like some of the evidence is going to be thrown out. I think this information coming to light is great for baseball, but I'd rather see my tax dollars go elsewhere.

[Young Drachma]

While I think Bonds is a vile piece of lying trash, I still don't think this case is right. They've sunk a ton of resources into a silly perjury case. Now it's looking like some of the evidence is going to be thrown out. I think this information coming to light is great for baseball, but I'd rather see my tax dollars go elsewhere.

+1

[Samdari]

While I think Bonds is a vile piece of lying trash, I still don't think this case is right. They've sunk a ton of resources into a silly perjury case. Now it's looking like some of the evidence is going to be thrown out. I think this information coming to light is great for baseball, but I'd rather see my tax dollars go elsewhere.

How is it wrong?

He did commit perjury and they are prosecuting him for it. I don't think they'll convict him, but he did do it.

It might be a silly use of tax dollars, but its hardly a moral affront stomping on the rights of Bonds.

[RainMaker]

How is it wrong?

He did commit perjury and they are prosecuting him for it. I don't think they'll convict him, but he did do it.

It might be a silly use of tax dollars, but its hardly a moral affront stomping on the rights of Bonds.

Because there are much bigger crimes out there that I'd rather see the feds targeting. Perhaps one of the ponzi schemes ripping people off, murders unsolved, or locking up some pedophiles. I guess I don't consider Barry Bonds lying high up on the things I want the federal government protecting us from.

Plus the whole thing is over steroids, something I don't care about. If someone wants to inject themselves with them and die by 50, so be it. This has no impact on me or anyone else here whatsoever. It's their bodies, let them do what they want to it.

I'm not saying he didn't commit perjury or that it shouldn't be a crime, but I am saying that if he was Jim Smith the used car salesman, no one at the federal government would care.

[lighthousekeeper]

Because there are much bigger crimes out there that I'd rather see the feds targeting. Perhaps one of the ponzi schemes ripping people off, murders unsolved, or locking up some pedophiles.


hey, keep pumpy out of this.

[gstelmack]

Plus the whole thing is over steroids, something I don't care about. If someone wants to inject themselves with them and die by 50, so be it. This has no impact on me or anyone else here whatsoever. It's their bodies, let them do what they want to it.

Well, until they go nuts and kill someone...

[RainMaker]

Well, until they go nuts and kill someone...
Steroids aren't the Rage virus. If you want to stop people from ingesting stuff that causes deaths of others, start a campaign to bring back prohibition.

[Thomkal]

I know its been brought up in the MLB thread, but thought it might be better discussed here.

Bonds found guilty of one charge, Obstructing Justice-apparantly that he was convicted of anything at all looks to be a major victory for the prosecution. Mistrial on the other three charges. He likely will get no jail time which is pretty damn pathetic given the amount of evidence out there that he used steroids. Unfortunately most of it was tied to Greg Anderson who refused to testify, and thus the prosecution's case was pretty weak. I mean the defense didn't even bother to bring any witnesses because it was so weak.

Barry Bonds found guilty of obstruction of justice, mistrial on others - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6347014)

[SackAttack]

Even that one conviction the defense is asking the judge to set aside. Hearing set for May...20, I think on that.

[molson]

I am all for going after perjury - the government doesn't do it nearly enough. It was odd to pick this case and spend 7 years on it though - the fed usually goes after cases it can clearly win.

[CrimsonFox]

Oh boy...politicians wasting more of our time on unimportant crap. whee....
Baseball players using drugs? OH MY GOD! NO!!!!! Everybody stop eating! THis is major!

[Warhammer]

Considering that MLB has special status in regard to anti-trust laws, etc., it is major.

[Young Drachma]

Meh.

[Thomkal]

apparantly it was 9-3 and 8-4 for acquittal on the first and third charge, and 11-1 for guilty on charge 2, the injection charge.

[molson]

Up next, this summer - the Roger Clemens trial! That one seems like a stronger government case, on the surface

[RainMaker]

I hope they can pull some more people off all the financial fraud cases being prosecuted to punish that deviant Clemens for good.

[TroyF]

I hope they can pull some more people off all the financial fraud cases being prosecuted to punish that deviant Clemens for good.


No offense to anyone here, but I can't stand comments like this. They are different areas of law. Financial trials, perjury trials, federal drug trials, insider trading trials. . . they are handled by different government lawyers. Ya know, if you don't want to go to trial, don't lie to a damned government entity and get caught doing it. This isn't that hard. The government does a lot of these types of cases to scare the #%$@ out of other people. Not everyone has the cash that Bonds or Clemens do to pay the lawyers and avoid jail time.

I'm adamant about smaller government, but I'm also adamant that some dickwad not be allowed to lie in front of a grand jury or in front of congress. Bonds was given every chance to not go through with this. He chose to be a jerk, he'll get to live with those decisions. Ditto for dumbo Roger Rocket.

[RainMaker]

It's not that I'm against prosecuting him, it's that I'm for a better use of resources. There is only so much resources the DOJ is allocated. So many attorneys they can hire, so many man-hours they can put into things. I'd love to see us take down every criminal out there, but unfortunately it can't be done.

So yes, when I see that no one in the financial industry has been prosecuted for all the fraud that took place, I'm going to comment on that. They had the resources to put 7 years into Barry Bonds perjury trial that was no slam dunk. But they apparently don't have the resources to investigate and charge people for financial fraud.

[TroyF]

It's not that I'm against prosecuting him, it's that I'm for a better use of resources. There is only so much resources the DOJ is allocated. So many attorneys they can hire, so many man-hours they can put into things. I'd love to see us take down every criminal out there, but unfortunately it can't be done.

So yes, when I see that no one in the financial industry has been prosecuted for all the fraud that took place, I'm going to comment on that. They had the resources to put 7 years into Barry Bonds perjury trial that was no slam dunk. But they apparently don't have the resources to investigate and charge people for financial fraud.


REALLY?

hxxp://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/7327571.html

hxxp://www.financialfraudlaw.com/lawblog/disbarred-chicago-lawyer-guilty-federal-mortgage-fraud-case/2132

[Logan]

Don't let facts get in the way of a good ol' RainMaker broad, sweeping assumption!

[AENeuman]

I still say his 3 for 17 in the 2000 playoff was his biggest crime.

[jeff061]

His statement was not intended to be factual.

[Bako]

Greg Anderson = Best Friend Ever

[molson]

Though on the other hand:

Financial Crisis With Few Prosecutions - NYTimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/14/business/14prosecute.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper)

Clearly, there's an underprosecution of financial crimes, but the reason for that is not that they decided to prosecute Barry Bonds instead. That's silly.

It's a common complaint, "why don't you go after the real criminals?" But I don't think the DOJ/prosecutors offices would be well served to deal exclusively with murder/domestic terrorism and let other stuff go. It's all connected. NYC used this approach in the 70s and 80s - they focussed their police and prosecutors on murder (and not even all murders, just "innocent people" getting killed, as opposed to gang stuff). Shoplifting, muggings, hey, they were too busy with serious stuff for that. Giuliani had a different plan - to go aggressively after the subway fare jumpers, and the shoplifters, and the public drunks. It turns out that they ended up catching a lot of "serious" criminals that way, and the results otherwise speak for themselves.

I think perjury is kind of the same thing. Sure, it's not as serious as murder, domestic terorism, or even financial crimes. But it cuts to the very fabric of what makes our justice system work. If you can just lie your ass off and there's no possiblity of being held accountable, the entire system is compromised. A good prosecutorial strategy is a balanced but aggressive one.

[sterlingice]

C'mon, you know the story with financial arrests is more complicated than that. The law is pretty cozy with the financial industry and the SEC is basically pillaged for any talent by large Wall Street firms. It turns out evil financial billions hires better lawyers and gets out of a lot more trouble than dumb jock millions.

SI

[Young Drachma]

Greg Anderson = Best Friend Ever

This. The No Snitching Hall of Fame. lol

[PilotMan]

Sadly this seems so anti-climactic.

Barry Bonds gets 30-day home sentence -- at worst - MLB - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-bondssteroids)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Eight years of being investigated for steroid allegations ended for home run king Barry Bonds on Friday with a 30-day sentence to be served at home. No more—and maybe less.

[RainMaker]

Money and time well spent. Barry Bonds will now face the justice of spending 30 days in his mansion.

[Autumn]

They should at least take into account how nice your house is when they do that. Maybe sentence you to staying at my house, that would be some punishment. I'd feed the kids some extra chocolate, to let justice prevail.

[Dutch]

A well spent $10 million dollars by our justice system. Great work, guys!

[Autumn]

It will probably cost Barry at least $10 million, all the extra utility costs he'll use spending 30 days in his mansion though, running his private movie theater, and staging a personal fireworks disply.

[RainMaker]

A well spent $10 million dollars by our justice system. Great work, guys!
If you count the whole Balco investigation, it's over $50 million.

[stevew]

I dunno what kind of monitoring there is, but if I were Barry I would spend 30 days on a drug and hooker filled bender.

[Young Drachma]

It was comsistent with other sentences and the US Probation office didn't recommend jail either.