BALCO: Some "deterrent"
Wow, the sentences in the BALCO trials certainly were harsh. Victor Conte, charged with distributing undetectable banned drugs to pro athletes, received four months in jail and four months house arrest. And he doesn't have to implicate anyone who received the goodies.
Greg Anderson, Barry Bonds' personal trainer, was charged with money laundering and steroid distribution. He got three months in jail and three months house arrest.
James Valente, BALCO vice president, got his charge reduced to steroid distribution and received probation.
Excuse me while I snort in derision.
Congress made a big deal about its hearings on banned steriods. Public service announcements decry their debilitating effects. And yet these sentences are held up as examples of punishment?
Yeah, they were plea deals. Yeah, prosecutors whined about lax laws governing steroids. Then why go through the time and taxpayer expense of these trials, only to see the defendants get slaps on the wrist? What message does this send to young athletes?
Simple: distributing steroids may be wrong, but if you're caught it's no big deal.
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