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Steroid Suspension Likely Marks End of 15-Year Career

MMA fighter Ken Shamrock was suspended and fined by the California State Athletic Commission after testing positive for the anabolic steroids Deca Durabolin (nandrolone) and Winstrol (stanozolol). The presence of the nandrolone metabolites 19-norandrosterone (19-NA) and 19-noretiocholanolone (19-NE) along with unmetabolized stanozolol were detected in a post-fight urinalysis following Wargods event on February 13, 2009 according to CSAC Assistant Executive Officer Bill Douglas. Shamrock was suspended for one year and fined $2,500. Rob Donohoo, Shamrock’s attorney and manager, has denied allegations of steroid use and has attributed the positive steroid results to a legal over-the counter supplement. “Ken was taking legal over-the-counter products, and based upon our preliminary research, I’m investigating if those products were the result of these findings,” Donohoo told Sherdog.com.

Ken "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Shamrock defeated Ross “The Grizzly” Clifton by a first round submission (arm bar) at the "Wargods KSP: Valentine's Eve Massacre" event which took place at Selland Arena in Fresno. The submission victory over Ross Clifton was Shamrock’s first submission victory since 2001 and extremely good news for an MMA fighter with a four-fight losing streaking dating back to 2004. But news of the steroid suspension abruptly ended the celebration for Shamrock.

In an interview on MMAjunkie.com/TAGG Radio broadcasted only hours before the CSAC suspension was announced, Ken Shamrock discussed the difficulties on maintaining, much less increasing, body weight while enduring intense MMA training. Shamrock discussed the importance of proper nutrition and “getting the right supplements”:

Ken Shamrock was scheduled to headline the MMA portion the upcoming “March Badness” event produced by Roy Jones Jr. and his Square Ring Promotions company. The unique MMA/boxing hybrid show is scheduled to take place on March 21, 2009 at the Pensacola Civic Center in Florida. The steroid suspension by the CSAC makes it unlikely that Shamrock will fight as scheduled since the Florida State Boxing Commission is expected to uphold the CSAC suspension. The resolution of the appeals process will most likely not occur prior to the “March Badness” event.

The Ken Shamrock versus Bobby Lashley fight probably represented Shamrock’s last chance to end his career on a respectable note. Lashley was 3-time NCAA and 4-time All-America wrestler at Missouri Valley College. Lashley joined the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2007 and quickly became a superstar of massive proportions at 6’3” and 265 pounds. He gained popularity as the representative of Donald Trump at Wrestlemania 23 who helped shave the head of Vince McMahon. The WWE superstar defeated Joshua Franklin in his pro MMA debut at Mixed Fighting Alliance “Their Will be Blood” event at the American Airlines Arena in Miami on December 13, 2008.

Ken Shamrock had looked forward to fighting Lashley:

Shamrock is an MMA legend and a member of the UFC Hall of Fame who had dominated the UFC and Pancrase in the 1990s. But Shamrock has continued fighting well beyond his prime. He has lost eight out of his last eleven fights.

Shamrock has not been competitive with elite level MMA fighters for several years and the steroid suspension likely marks a disappointing end to the impressive career of an MMA pioneer. The suspension ends on February 1, 2010 only 10 days prior to Shamrock’s 46th birthday. Ken Shamrock’s attorney has expressed his client’s intentions to file an expedited appeal of the suspension.

Sources

“Shamrock Suspended for Steroids,” March 12, 2009

“Ken Shamrock suspended one year for alleged anabolic-steroid use,” March 11, 2009

“Shamrock suspended for steroids,” March 11, 2009

“Petruzelli Out; Shamrock-Lashley to Headline 'March Badness',” March 5, 2009

“Shamrock, Abbott Grab Quick Wins at Wargods,” February 14, 2009

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com

Will Baby Fedor’s Alleged Steroid Use Tarnish Other Russian MMA Fighters?

Mixed martial artist Kirill Sidelnikov tested positive for stanozolol, popularly known as Winstrol, resulting from a steroid urinalysis administered during a fight weigh-in on January 24, 2009. Kirill “Baby Fedor” Sidelnikov lost to Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello after a medical stoppage resulting from a third round technical knockout at at Affliction’s “Day of Reckoning” at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The Russian Sambo specialist was suspended for one year and fined $2,500 by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).

Bill Douglas, the CSAC assistant executive officer, explains that any detectable level of stanozolol represents a violation of the CSAC anti-doping protocols:

The prevalence of anabolic steroids in mixed martial arts (MMA) has been debated for several years. Several MMA athletes at the higher level of the sport have been caught using steroids. Anti-doping advocates have pressured sanctioning organizations to institute strict steroid testing protocols consistent with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code.

Most MMA fighters who use anabolic steroids are reported to use very reasonable amounts. The dose-dependent tendency of steroids to increase muscle mass may compromise performance in the ring by interfering with technique and conditioning of an MMA fighter. Consequently, the dosages used are extremely modest when compared to strength and power athletes in sports like bodybuilding and powerlifting.

Given the primary importance of strength and conditioning training and technique training over mere muscle size in MMA, most competitors generally do not seem overly concerned that some of the fighters they face in the ring may use performance-enhancing drugs.

Kirill Sidelnikov’s most recent opponent was asked about Sidelnikov’s suspension for steroid use. Paul Buentello, upon learning that his opponent at Affliction’s Day of Reckoning may have been using Winstrol, said his opinion of Sidelnikov was based on his performance in the ring, “No, I don't lose any respect. The respect starts and ends when you step into the ring. He stepped into that ring and he fought his heart out.” Buentello admittedly may have felt differently if he had lost the match.

Baby Fedor’s use of steroids, in and of itself, may not have a demonstrable affect on his reputation in MMA circles. Sidelnikov’s credibility will more likely be affected by M-1 Global’s official explanation of the positive steroid test. While accepting full responsibility for the positive steroid test, Sidelnikov’s mea culpa blamed the positive test to the inadvertent use of a stanozolol-based nasal spray administered by a physician not associated with M1 Global or Sidelnikov’s Red Devil team.

The use of a Winstrol type nose spray as a medical treatment for nose bleeds seems suspect. Paul Buentello was diplomatic when addressing the nose spray explanation, “You never know… So that could be the case or it could not be the case. I'm not the one that has to defend him.”

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) rejected the explanation outright. “[Stanozolol] can be used in various forms, but is not something that would be found in a decongestant nose spray,” according to USADA communications and outreach director Erin Hannan.

M1 apparently anticipated that the explanation might be questioned. Consequently, they used Kirill’s physique as proof that he was not a regular steroid user. The fact that Sidelnikov does not look like a bodybuilder, while not necessarily proving anything, seems to have been more well received,

It is too early to assess the fallout from the latest MMA steroid positive. Sidelnikov has been called “Baby Fedor” because of his friendship and training partnership with Fedor Emelianenko. It remains to be seen if other Russian athletes and/or members of the Russian Red Devil team are tarnished through their association with Sidelnikov. Kirill Sidelnikov’suspension for the Winstrol-positive test runs through January 18, 2010.

Sources

“Sidelnikov Camp Blames Nose Spray for Steroid,” March 5, 2009

“M-1 Global issues statement regarding positive steroid test for Kirill ‘Baby Fedor’ Sidelnikov,” March 4, 2009

“MMA Fighter Paul Buentello Reacts to Opponent's Failed Steroid Test,” March 4, 2009

“Kirill "Baby Fedor" Sidelnikov suspended one year for failed drug test,” March 3, 2009

“Steroids in Mixed Martial Arts,” T-Nation

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com

The Media Overlooked Questionable Tactics of Star Witness in the Quest for a Blockbuster StoryThe Media Overlooked Questionable Tactics of Star Witness in the Quest for a Blockbuster Story

The case of the United States of America v. Barry Lamar Bonds was scheduled to begin on Monday, March 2, 2009. However, federal prosecutors desperately filed a last-minute appeal against an evidentiary ruling by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in order to postpone the trial until as late as next year. Prosecutors faced a major problem when they were unable to secure Barry Bonds’ trainer, Greg Anderson, as a key witness in their steroid-related perjury case. Prosecutors’ star witness going into the trial was former IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky. This was why the government’s case against Barry Bonds was doomed.

The general public has been caught by surprise with news of the incredibly weak case against Barry Bonds. The government’s case against Barry Bonds had its hero and its villain. Barry Bonds was the rude and arrogant baseball player who cheated the integrity of baseball with the use of anabolic steroids to shatter sacred records. As much as Bonds inspired hatred, scorn and condemnation, Jeff Novitzky was adulated as the country’s most persistent and determined hero in the war against steroids in sports. Novitzky was “an unlikely contender for the role of the Eliot Ness of the steroids age” according to the New York Times. The media loved Jeff Novitzky as he aggressively investigated high-profile athletes around the country who were suspected of using steroids.

The public’s admiration for Novitzky increased as politicians jumped on the anti-steroid bandwagon to support the steroids in sports investigation. Former President George W. Bush gave his tacit support to the investigation by talking about steroids during his 2004 State of the Union Address. Former Attorney General John Ashcroft paid tribute to the steroid investigations by a special press conference to announce the BALCO indictments.

Unfortunately, Jeff Novitzky was not what he seemed. The San Francisco Chronicle reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams published stories implicating several athletes in the systematic use of performance-enhancing drugs. The stories leaked testimony that demonized baseball players such as Barry Bonds. But the stories, intentionally or unintentionally, omitted the other side of the story that including the questionable actions and alleged misconduct and wrongdoing by Jeff Novitzky.

Very few reporters dared to criticize Novitzky. After all, there was “something simply un-American” about steroid use in sports according to then-Senator Joseph Biden. During the presidency of George W. Bush, criticizing the government was not only frowned upon but considered unpatriotic.

A few sports writers had the courage to go against the prevailing journalistic wisdom and report the “other side of the story.” Jonathan Littman, sports writer for Yahoo Sports, followed up on several allegations made by BALCO mastermind Victor Conte. Littman’s investigative reported highlighted several issues that had been ignored or overlooked by most of his colleagues.

Jonathan Littman interviewed all three of the original lawmen who were assigned to the BALCO / Barry Bonds investigation and worked alongside Special Agent Novitzky. Iran White, an agent with the California's Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement (BNE) in San Jose, and two other un-named law enforcement agents told Littman that Novitzky expressed extreme hatred for Barry Bonds at the exclusion of other athletes that were similarly implicated such as Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield. Novitzky was obsessed with bringing down Bonds. The prospect of catching Bonds was used by Novitzky to lure other law enforcement agencies into supporting his investigation.

Novitsky’s credibility was hurt when three lawmen alleged that Jeff Novitzky discussed cashing in on a book deal or movie adaptation of his role in the largest steroid scandal in sports history. These allegations were corroborated by private investigators working with Barry Bonds’ defense team who also interviewed White and the two other drug task force agents who worked with Novitzky during the early stages of the investigation. Novitzky denied the allegations in a sworn court declaration; he alleged that any such statements were made in jest and his words "might have been misconstrued."

Victor Conte, and several others implicated in the BALCO investigation, accused Novitzky of potentially committing criminal misconduct with acts ranging from falsifying investigative reports to illegally coercing statements to improperly serving search warrants during the raid.

"It's my opinion that Novitzky is to law enforcement, what I was to sport. I helped athletes to use drugs, win medals and break records. I believe Novitzky has helped law enforcement to lie, steal and cheat in order to win cases,” according to Victor Conte. “In both instances, the real question is whether or not the end has justified the means. It's my opinion that it has not, in either case. What's wrong is wrong and there is no justification for wrongdoing in sport or in law enforcement."

Jeff Novitsky alleged that Victor Conte provided a list of names, including that of Barry Bonds, who he had provided with performance enhancing drugs. Conte stated that the list was entirely fabricated by Novitzky.

Apparently, Jeff Novitzky also forgot to serve the search warrant prior to the BALCO raid; Conte claims the warrant wasn’t served until after the raid had been completed. The detailed notes of IRS special agent Wendy Bergland supported Conte’s assertion.

Bergland’s memorandum also revealed a missing period of time totaling 53 minutes that did not appear in the official government report. Conte alleges that Jeff Novitzky aggressively pressured him to testify against implicated athletes suggesting that he wear a wire.

Judge Susan Illston, the presiding judge in the Barry Bonds case, characterized some of Novitzky’s actions in his raid of Comprehensive Drug Testing (CDT) as a "callous disregard" for constitutional rights. Novitzky’s raided CDT presumably to obtain evidence against Barry Bonds and a few other baseball players suspected of steroid use. Instead, he seized all of the lab reports and samples from all 104 baseball players who tested positive for prohibited substances. Judge Illston and three appeals judges demanded that Novitzky return the evidence; Novitzky refused.

The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) opened an investigation into Jeff Novitzky and his fellow agents arising from missing evidence seized from Greg Anderson’s house; $600 of the $63,920 disappeared after being confiscated from the residence of Barry Bonds’ trainer. "Novitzky and three other IRS special agents hired lawyers and signed proffers before cooperating with the investigation," according to Victor Conte. "There were inconsistencies with some of the statements. It was acknowledged in the report that the investigation could cause credibility issues for the agents if the BALCO case ever went to trial."

No legal action has been taken against Special Agent Novitzky for any alleged improprieties. But Jeff Novitzky’s questionable tactics during the BALCO-related interrogations will likely cause considerable credibility issues for the government’s star witness when he takes the stand against Barry Bonds

"Certainly how the investigation was carried out very well could be part of the defense's case down the road… if the lawyers can make a case for relevance,'' according to Robert D. Richards, a professor of journalism and law at Pennsylvania State University.

The desperation of federal prosecutors in the Bonds case comes as a surprise to many readers. Fortunately, there are a few journalists, like Jonathan Littman, who ignored the popular anti-steroid bandwagon of reporters, and pursued the allegations made against Jeff Novitzky by Victor Conte and others. Their objectivity has restored integrity to an era of investigative journalism consumed by steroid hysteria.

Sources

“The Federal Government Delays Barry Bonds Trial by Filing Appeal,” March 2, 2009

“The Persecution of Barry Bonds,” February 27, 2009

“Who's on trial in the Bonds case? Not just Barry,” February 10, 2009

“BALCO founder Victor Conte has tell-all book ready,” March 30, 2008

“Novitzky's reach goes from BALCO to Clemens,” January 8, 2008

“The Exclusive Inside Story of the BALCO Steroids Investigation and the Government’s Attempt to Bring Down Barry Bonds,” May 2004

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com

Hapless Prosecutors Compared to “Keystone Cops” and “Three Stooges”

Prosecutors in the United States Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of California have appealed an evidentiary ruling by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston barring significant pieces of evidence as inadmissible. Judge Illston said she was forced to postpone the trial indefinitely while the case heads to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. The government’s appeal appears to be a tacit acknowledge of the significantly weak case they currently have against Barry Bonds in the steroid-related perjury case.

Judge Susan Illston has ruled significant pieces of evidence as inadmissible, including all three positive steroid tests and doping calendars, unless Barry Bonds’ trainer Greg Anderson testifies to verify their authenticity. Prosecutors have repeatedly failed to secure the critical testimony of Anderson after prolonged intimidation and threats. Anderson has consistently refused to testify against the baseball slugger and has been willing to go to prison for over a year on two separate contempt of court charges. Anderson confirmed to Judge Illston on Friday that he would not testify in the Bonds’ trial.

"Apparently, the prosecutors are now desperately trying to buy time to find a way out of the nightmare they have created for themselves,” said Victor Conte, the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO) mastermind. “It seems that they are beginning to look like the Three Stooges." But not everyone was laughing at the bumbling, hapless prosecutors in San Francisco who stand on the verge of blowing the most significant sports trial in history.

District Judge Illston was noticeable irritated when U.S. Assistant Attorney Matthew Parrella notified her of the government’s decision to appeal her ruling. "We are ready to go. We have 90 jurors coming in on Monday.” Judge Illston chastised Parrella for his last minute delay tactic, “We have made enormous accommodations. It will be an enormous expense in resources if the trial doesn't begin as planned." Obviously, the U.S. Attorney’s Office could care less about wasting additional government funds after having already spent $55 million dollars in their BALCO doping investigation.

Legal experts believe the appeal is a sure sign of desperation by the government since Judge Illston’s ruling on the evidence is solid. "I am amazed that they are doing this," remarked Golden Gate University law professor Peter Keane. "It's a very foolish move on the government's part. It has no chance of succeeding." The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will almost certainly defer to Judge Illston.

"The government is so desperate. It's actually quite hilarious. They can't get this guy into custody, they can't get their trial off the ground. It's like the Keystone Cops," said Mark Geragos, attorney for Greg Anderson, mocking federal prosecutors. "They go out of their way to piss [District Judge Susan Illston] off too. Generally in federal court, I found that that's not a good idea."

Prosecutors had already “piss[ed] off” Judge Illston earlier this month with their ridiculous and unsuccessful pursuit of Greg Anderson’s testimony. Assistance U.S. Attorney Matthew Parrella was also the target of Illston’s ire as she uncharacteristically raised her voice in frustration at the government’s actions.

The tactic by federal prosecutors automatically postpones the Bonds trial for several months and perhaps until next year. This gives the government more time to put together a case against Barry Bonds. Sadly, the government’s case is incredibly weak even after spending several million dollars over the course of seven years. Perhaps, the U.S. Attorney’s will continue its shameful and embarrassing intimidation campaign against Greg Anderson’s wife and mother-in-law hoping to get Anderson to testify against Barry Bonds?

The American public should prepare to see Barry Bonds exonerated. The government, with such a weak case based on circumstantial evidence, is only delaying the inevitable by going to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The perjury related charges do not even involve a factual dispute. Barry Bonds has not contested that he used anabolic steroids. This is not disputed by the government. The government must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, Barry Bonds’ state of mind. It is considerably more challenging to prove what Bonds thought he was doing.

If the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of California is lucky, the case will never go to trial and they will be spared some embarrassment by avoiding a courtroom disaster. Perhaps, President Barrack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder will intervene and end the prosecution of Barry Bonds. The Obama administration has stated that is does not believe it is the role of the federal government to police steroids in sports. Whatever the outcome of the United States of America versus Barry Lamar Bonds case, it will likely mark the crescendo of the steroid witch-hunt by the government.

Sources

“Barry Bonds trial could be delayed as prosecution appeals evidence ban,” February 28, 2009

“Barry Bonds trial postponed after prosecutors decide to appeal judge's ruling,” February 27, 2009

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com