Greg Anderson's Disgraceful Silence Pays off for Barry Bonds
This week federal prosecutors were forced to reduce the amount of perjury-related charges against former San Francisco Giant, Barry Bonds, from 11 counts to 5 counts. With a March 2011 trial date looming, the prosecution no longer could hold out hope the Bonds' foremer trainer, Greg Anderson, would brake his silence and testify for the government.
Greg Anderson has certainly been consistent. Even in the face of jail time (for contempt), Anderson has refused to assist the prosecution. Bonds had been indicted for lying before the grand jury on conduct related to Anderson. Bonds told the grand jury that he denied received steroids, known as the "clear" and the "cream", from Anderson. In a previous court ruling, the judge held that Bonds positive steroids tests were inadmissible as these results were improperly obtained by the government.
Without the evidence of Bonds' positive drug tests, the only remain proof of his alleged lies would need to come from Anderson's testimony. However, Anderson has decided that he is more important than the legal system. If Anderson cooperated he likely would not face any criminal charges so his Fifth Amendment Rights would not be at risk. The only logical conclusion that can be reached is that Anderson's silence is bought and paid for by someone.
By holding on to his misplaced sense of "loyalty", Anderson will deprive the jury of hearing the facts and evidence that he only can provide. This type of conduct is an offense of our system of justice and is obstructive of a valid criminal prosecution.
As a result, Anderson and his silence should spend as a much time as possible in jail.
My name is Christopher Fusco. I am the managing partner of Callahan & Fusco, LLC with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.