From the San Francisco Chronicle’s Lance Williams :
Barry Bonds was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice in connection with the BALCO sports steroid scandal.
Bonds was indicted for allegedly making false statements to the grand jury that investigated the BALCO steroids distribution ring, said a source familiar with the case.
In December 2003, Bonds testified that he had never knowingly used banned drugs. Federal prosecutors confronted him with doping calendars and other documents showing that he had used undetectable steroids called the Cream and the Clear, along with human growth hormone and other drugs.
Having never been questioned in this criminal investigation, we can safely assume there will be no perjury charges aimed at Peter Magowan, Brian Sabean, Dusty Baker or Felipe Alou.
I’d prefer not to hear any jokes about Barry and Greg Anderson sharing a cell, mostly because I don’t think Bonds’ giant leather recliner will fit into such a space. But full credit to the authorities for having the considerable class to hold this announcement until November 15 rather than break the news during the 4th game of the World Series.
(UPDATE : surprise, surprise, ESPN reported this evening that Anderson was released today.)