Bonds' trainer accused again



The trainer's lawyer calls the claims outrageous.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A former San Francisco Giants outfielder told a federal investigator that he obtained performance-enhancing drugs from the trainer for Giants slugger Barry Bonds, a newspaper reported Saturday.
An investigative memo obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle says that Armando Rios, now in the minor leagues, told an Internal Revenue Service special agent that he purchased a human growth hormone and testosterone from Bonds' trainer, Greg Anderson.
Additional memos detailed claims by John McEwen, the second-ranked U.S. hammer thrower in 2003, and San Francisco State University sprint coaches Kenny McDaniel and LaKiesha Givens, the newspaper reported.
The three allegedly told an IRS special agent they acquired drugs from Victor Conte, owner of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative.
"Everyone is taking it," McDaniel claims Conte told him of a drug called "rocket fuel," according to the memo.
Outrageous claims
Anderson's lawyer, Anna Ling, rejected the memo's claims and said the government was persecuting her client with "outrageous" leaks to the news media.
Anderson, Conte and two others have been accused in an indictment of conspiracy to distribute illegal performance-enhancing drugs to top athletes. They have pleaded not guilty.
Conte's attorney, Robert Holley, criticized leaks of confidential information but declined to comment on the allegations.
Bonds has publicly denied using any performance-enhancing drugs.
None of the athletes has been charged with a crime. Rios, who was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in July 2001, and McEwen were subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury that investigated an alleged steroid ring involving BALCO. McEwen was recently banned from competition for two years for testing positive for a steroid.
One memo also includes an allegation about sprinter Tim Montgomery, the world record holder at 100 meters who was charged with steroid use and faces a lifetime ban if found guilty.
Boosted by 'rocket fuel'
"Conte told McDaniel that the reason Tim Montgomery broke the world record was because of the 'rocket fuel,' " the memo said.
Montgomery has denied taking performance-enhancing drugs.
Both Rios' attorney, Chris Cannon, and McEwen's lawyer, Howard Jacobs, would not comment on allegations contained in the memos.
McDaniel acknowledged speaking with the agent, but he declined to discuss with the newspaper part of a memo describing Givens' alleged use of "rocket fuel."
The newspaper reported that Givens was out of town and could not be reached for comment.
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