An Introduction:
Since federal agents raided the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative in Burlingame in September of 2003, the BALCO steroids scandal has engulfed some of the biggest names in sports.
Baseball home run king Barry Bonds was indicted in 2007 on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, accused of lying to a U.S. grand jury about his use of steroids. His trial is set for March, 2008. Olympic superstar Marion Jones was sentenced to six months in federal prison after she confessed to lying to federal agents about her use of BALCO drugs.
BALCO founder Victor Conte and four other men pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in San Francisco to distributing the undetectable steroids known as the cream and the clear. Meanwhile, more than 30 elite athletes from major league baseball, the NFL and the Olympic movement also have been implicated in the use of BALCO drugs.
The Chronicle's coverage of BALCO was honored with the George Polk Award, the White House Correspondents' Association's Edgar A. Poe Award and the Edward Willis Scripps Award for Distinguished Service to the First Amendment. In 2006, reporters Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada were sentenced to 18 months in prison when they refused to identify their confidential news sources to federal prosecutors. Hearst Corporation's legal and lobbying fight kept the reporters out of prison and added impetus to efforts to enact a federal law to reporters and their sources from subpoenas.
Full Coverage
February 5, 2009
Bonds back in court, pleads not guilty
Feds: Bonds used steroid, masking agent
February 4, 2009
Judge faces lose-lose chore Thursday
Knapp: Drug tests shouldn't be admissible
January 29, 2009
Feds raid home of Bonds trainer's wife's mom
January 30, 2009
'Little guys' loom large in Bonds perjury trial
January 17, 2009
U.S. wants Bonds' alleged tests in open
November 25, 2008
Judge tosses 3 perjury charges against Bonds
October 23, 2008
Knapp: Bonds should get off easy - everyone else in S.F. court has
June 21, 2008
Track coach pleads with judge
June 20, 2008
Probe leans on trainer's wife - Conspiracy angle in Bonds' case
June 6, 2008
Bonds' perjury trial set for March
May 29, 2008
Verdict mixed in S.F. steroid trial of coach
May 28, 2008
Graham perjury case goes to jury
May 23, 2008
Sprinters testify against coach in S.F. trial
May 22, 2008
Dealer says Jones sought to blend her drugs
May 20, 2008
Sharp views, as Graham case opens
May 14, 2008
Now Bonds faces 14 BALCO perjury counts
May 3, 2008
BALCO whistle-blower in hot seat
April 5, 2008
Thomas found guilty of lying in BALCO probe
April 3, 2008
Prosecutor says cyclist hampered BALCO case
April 2, 2008
Baboon provided needed link in BALCO test
April 1, 2008
IRS agent denies targeting athletes who used drugs
March 28, 2008
Cyclist a hindrance, agent says
March 27, 2008
Cyclist appeared to be shaving face, drug tester tells jury
March 26, 2008
Chemist testifies he sent steroids to cyclist
March 25, 2008
2 opposing views of cyclist in BALCO case
March 24, 2008
Cyclist's trial foreshadows Bonds' case
February 29, 2008
Judge orders feds to try again on Bonds indictment
Judge unseals Bonds' testimony
Text of Bonds' 2003 BALCO testimony (PDF)
Magowan met with Selig
February 28, 2008
Were Clemens' 'implausible' comments perjury?
February 15, 2008
Prosecutors' details on Bonds' drug test
Clemens hearing is a circus
February 14, 2008
Ex-teammates, former nanny may hurt Clemens
February 10, 2008
Glare of Clemens case reflects on Yankees
January 18, 2008
Ex-49er Stubblefield pleads guilty
December 22, 2007
Bonds tells judge he accepts defense lawyers' possible conflicts
New names surface in agent's affidavit on former batboy Radomski
Recommended term for Jones: up to 6 months
December 21, 2007
Grimsley court records opened | Affidavit (PDF)
Bonds' surgeon likely to testify at perjury trial, prosecutor says
December 16, 2007
Mitchell report's cautionary tales not apt to reach young athletes
December 15, 2007
Opinion divided on Mitchell report's impact in Bonds' trial
Selig unlikely to penalize Giants execs
December 14, 2007
Mitchell unveils web of steroid use
Giants cited for letting drugs persist
What Magowan told Mitchell about Bonds
Jaded fans not surprised
Ratto: Experts at willful ignorance
Knapp: Not the time for mercy
Record book full of names cited in report
Cust, Tejada among A's linked to report
Text of the Mitchell Report (PDF)
December 13, 2007
Batboy was breakthrough for Mitchell
December 12, 2007
MLB studies Mitchell Commission report
December 8, 2007
Bonds pleads not guilty
Bonds first court appearance sets off media frenzy
December 1, 2007
Baseball stars would be likely witnesses in a Bonds perjury trial
November 17, 2007
Lawyer may have talked his client into a corner
November 16, 2007
Bonds charged with perjury, obstruction
The key evidence against Bonds
Knapp: Bonds won't be running the show in the courtroom
Greg Anderson released from prison
Indictment changes few minds among Bonds' fans
Ratto: Let the speculation begin
Lying under oath can be difficult to prove
Players rue impact on ex-teammate, game
Ratto: Consider Bonds retired
As Bonds heads to court, MLB troubles mount
November 15, 2007
Indictment text (.pdf)
November 6, 2007
Guillen, Williams bought steroids from clinic
October 13, 2007
Mitchell may be ready to release report
October 6, 2007
Jones now a loser after doping plea
October 5, 2007
Sprinter Jones expected to plead guilty
September 19, 2007
Elite coach will look to settle case
September 8, 2007
Baseball's headaches go on after Bonds
August 13, 2007
Prosecutor, reporter meet at Bar panel
June 17, 2007
Prosecutor reflects on firestorm
June 15, 2007
BALCO leak: Deal's off
June 13, 2007
Ratto: No such thing as open-and-shut case
June 8, 2007
Newspapers seek IDs of clients
June 7, 2007
BALCO leaker seeks less prison time
May 22, 2007
Knapp: Giambi still not fully honest
May 1, 2007
Trainer called major drug source
May 1, 2007
Grand Jury Transcript Implicates Several MLB Players
April 28, 2007
Steroids Dealer Pleads Guilty
March 6, 2007
Bodybuilding connection singes guv again
February 27, 2007
Afterward to 'Game of Shadows'
February 18, 2007
BALCO case has journalism in a quandary
February 15, 2007
Lawyer Admits Leaking Balco Testimony
 Alleged leaker's wild ride may get wilder
C.W. Nevius: For BALCO Reporters: Justice
Editorial: They stood tall for a free press
February 14, 2007
Attorney to plead guilty to leaking BALCO testimony
Justice Dept. press release
January 19, 2007
Key lawmakers back Chronicle reporters
Justice Department statement
Rep. Conyers statement
January 11, 2007
Bonds reportedly tested positive for amphetamines
Chron calls reporter contempt case flawed
Ninth Circuit reply brief (.pdf)
December 24, 2006
Heat is on to stop use of performance enhancers
December 23, 2006
BALCO prosecutors urge jail for reporters
December 14, 2006
Cyclist indicted in BALCO steroid scandal
Tammy Thomas indictment (.pdf)
December 11, 2006
24 states back Chronicle reporters facing jail over steroids story
News organizations file brief backing Chronicle duo (.pdf)
Brief filed by 24 states (.pdf)
Academicians, attorneys file brief in support of reporters (.pdf)
December 9, 2006
Bonds' legal woes remain
December 2, 2006
Chronicle appeals order to imprison reporters
Read the Chronicle's brief in support of its reporters (.pdf)
November 17, 2006
Track coach pleads not guilty in steroid probe
Coach charged with lying (Nov. 3)
October 26, 2006
Chronicle reporters' hearing in March
Hearing for reporters moved up to February (Oct. 28)
October 21, 2006
Chronicle to be held in contempt, pending appeal
October 5, 2006
Bonds' trainer Greg Anderson freed from prison
September 26, 2006
Written ruling reiterates plan to jail reporters
September 22, 2006
Silence means prison, judge tells reporters
Mark Fainaru-Wada profile | Statement
Lance Williams profile | Statement
September 21, 2006
Judge: BALCO reporters face prison
Senator leads drive for federal media shield law
September 20, 2006
Prosecutors want 18 months for reporters
2 Chronicle reporters at center of standoff
Editorial: The government as editor
Nevius: Steroids' impact felt across prep sports
September 17, 2006
Letter from the editor: A newspaper's role is to pull back the curtain
September 8, 2006
Doctor who gave sprinter stimulant may lose license
Jones case will have ripple effect
September 7, 2006
Prosecutors 'fishing' for sources, paper says
Jones' 'B' sample comes back negative
Knapp: Testing's credibility could unravel
August 29, 2006
Bonds' trainer back behind bars
August 19, 2006
Sprinter Jones failed drug test
Knapp: This time, there's no running away
August 17, 2006
Bonds' trainer appears before grand jury
August 16, 2006
Chronicle reporters told to testify
Read the decision: Download PDF
August 5, 2006
Chronicle reporters' uphill fight
'The Clear' inventor sentenced
July 22, 2006
Prosecutors get Bonds medical records
Bruce Jenkins: The scent of farce
July 21, 2006
Chase of Barry Bonds continues
Choices that await Greg Anderson
Fans still feel the love
Plea to seal filing on reporter's e-mail rejected
Ray Ratto: Good news for everyone
July 20, 2006
No imminent indictment for Bonds
Fans cheer Bonds news
Grand jury end doesn't mean Bonds off hook
Lawyers spar on denial Conte was leak
July 15, 2006
Bail denied for Bonds' ex-trainer
July 14, 2006
Old friend seen as key witness against Bonds
July 12, 2006
MLB commissioner Selig still in state of steroid denial
July 11, 2006
Jailed Bonds trainer says grand jury leaks justify his silence
July 8, 2006
Chronicle argues for subpoenas' dismissal
July 7, 2006
Reporters fight feds' request
Chronicle's opposition to seal application: Download PDF
Chronicle's motion to quash: Download PDF
Eve Burton affidavit: Download PDF
July 5, 2006
Bonds' trainer Anderson sent to prison
June 22, 2006
Feds want name of BALCO source
Legal motion: Download PDF (Note: The redacted (obscured) portions of this PDF document can be copied with Adobe Reader's "Select Text" tool. When the copied passages are pasted into another program, they become visible.)
June 10, 2006
MLB bumps into the feds
June 7, 2006
Arizona pitcher Grimsley made "extensive "statements" about drug use to feds
Affidavit: Download PDF
June 5, 2006
Major media outlets file Amicus Brief in support of Chronicle reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams 2.5MB PDF
May 31, 2006
Chronicle files motion to quash subpoenas
Read the motion: Download PDF
Affidavits: Download PDF
The Podcast
May 10, 2006
Lawyer calls leaks a moot issue
May 7, 2006
More pressure on reporters to name sources
Editorial: War on the press
May 5, 2006
Chronicle, two reporters subpoenaed on BALCO sources
Statements by the Chronicle, reporters
Bios of reporters Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada
April 26, 2006
Bonds trainer Greg Anderson subpoenaed in perjury probe
April 18, 2006
Grand jury reportedly calls clubhouse insider to testify
April 16, 2006
The perjury evidence against Bonds
Knapp: Past is still relevant
Shea: Power surge continues -- along with suspicion
April 15, 2006
Perjury charges tough to prove
Poll: Many think Bonds used steroids
April 14, 2006
Bonds' doctor is subpoenaed
Ratto: Things are getting serious
April 6, 2006
Judge reports Bonds' help for Sheffield
March 30, 2006
MLB to launch probe
Ratto: Selig a step slow
March 23, 2006
Lawsuit over new Bonds book
Review of 'Game of Shadows'
March 19, 2006
Will we have a house divided?
March 18, 2006
Saga of the loathed left fielder may not play out
March 17, 2006
Selig, WBC face heat on doping strategies
March 15, 2006
Once more, throwing the book at Bonds
March 12, 2006
Bonds was unyielding
Bonds saga ensnares Giambi
In steroid era, baseball sold its soul
Podcast: Part II with book's authors
March 11, 2006
Congress may force Selig to get tough
March 10, 2006
Steroids opponents say little being done to enforce laws
Chron voters would put Barry Hall
March 9, 2006
MLB to review allegations in book
Joan Ryan: Facts mean less
Bruce Jenkins: Team's line makes sense to them
Editorial: Giant denial
March 8, 2006
Why Barry Bonds used steroids
Podcast with the book's authors
Ratto: Resolution? Not with our Barry
It's baseball almost as usual as news hits Arizona
The transformation of Barry Bonds
Statement by Bonds' lawyer
Two Cents: Do the Giants share responsibility?
February 25, 2006
Coach gets 1 year probation in BALCO case
February 7, 2006
BALCO defamation lawsuit settled
December 15, 2005
Sprinter Montgomery says he's done
December 14, 2005
Montgomery banned two years for doping
November 30, 2005
2 scandal figures set to start prison terms
November 4, 2005
Illinois chemist faces charges
October 23, 2005
Matier & Ross: Feds' BALCO motto: Garbage in, garbage out
October 19, 2005
Knapp: Sentence is business as usual
October 18, 2005
Founder Conte gets eight months
October 17, 2005
Judge to see plea deals Tuesday
September 30, 2005
Agents raid Illinois lab linked to BALCO steroid
September 21, 2005
Bonds handles the boos with swing of the bat
August 28, 2005
Knapp: Armstrong fiasco calls for open testing system
August 24, 2005
Knapp: Lance, the teflon doper?
August 4, 2005
Palmeiro will play ball with Congress probe
August 2, 2005
Palmeiro suspended -- he swore he never used illegal sustance
Palmeiro exposes hearings as a joke
July 30, 2005
Final BALCO guilty plea: Track coach admits giving out steroids
July 19, 2005
Editorial: BALCO's lightweight end
July 17, 2005
Knapp: BALCO prosecutors fumbled the ball
July 16, 2005
40 of 42 charges dropped
July 15, 2005
Conte, two others admit distributing steroids
Victor Conte strikes plea bargain deal
June 8, 2005
Prosecutors plan more charges against founder
June 7, 2005
BALCO hearing canceled
March 20, 2005
Bonds' former girlfriend testifies
Home run record among season's looming issues
March 16, 2005
Fans keep their eyes on the baseball
Panel, baseball both have a lot on the line
Jason Giambi excused from hearing
Lawmakers from rival parties team up in probe of steroids
March 15, 2005
Baseball turns over steroids documents
March 5, 2005
Bonds says there are far worse things than steroids
March 4, 2005
7 players invited to steroid hearing
March 3, 2005
Gov's stance on steroids scrutinized
Jeff Kent raps baseball drug policy
Ostler: Steroids, the great divider
Congress tabs Jose Canseco
March 2, 2005
Battle lines drawn in Romanowski trial
February 24, 2005
Knapp: 'I lied about Bonds
February 21, 2005
Sprinters say doctor helped get their drugs
February 16, 2005
BALCO figures' testimony sought in Romanowski trial
February 11, 2005
Knapp: Giambi apologizes profusely -- although he neglects to say for what
January 29, 2005
Probe of BALCO leaks reaches Conte
January 27, 2005
Conte's home raided in leak probe
Ex-Raider Romanowski faces steroid questions
January 14, 2005
Harsher penalties, year-round testing for steroid use
Critics unimpressed with new policy
Players generally supportive of plan
January 13, 2005
Baseball owners, players OK tougher drug policy
December 29, 2004
BALCO unwittingly triggered sweeping anti-doping movement
Judge denies request to dismiss BALCO charges
December 27, 2004
Steroids, though dangerous, do have redeeming qualities
December 20, 2004
Testing plan called 'limited step forward'
December 19, 2004
Dreams, steroids, death -- a ballplayer's downfall
December 16, 2004
Marion Jones sues BALCO's Conte for defamation
December 15, 2004
Baseball, union open serious steroid talks
Speier to try again for law on teens' use of steroids
December 13, 2004
BALCO casts long shadow at baseball meetings
Giants' Alou comes to Bonds' defense
December 12, 2004
Why we brought you the BALCO story
Knapp: Zeal to win drives use of steroids, designer drugs
Ryan: Let's get real about sports and steroids
Dusty Baker defends Bonds at winter meetings
December 11, 2004
Sprinter Collins, 33, slapped with 8-year ban
Jenkins: Bonds should give a thought to walking away
December 10, 2004
Minor-league team's promotion takes a shot at BALCO scandal
December 9, 2004
Bush wants action to clean up baseball
Bonds' marketing muscle imperiled by scandal
Fiore: Root, root, root for the steroids (Flash)
December 8, 2004
MLB union backs toughening drug rules
Bad Reporter: Barry's 'Clearasil'
December 7, 2004
Shriver goes to bat for Bonds
Players discuss tougher testing policy
High school students debate steroids
December 6, 2004
McCain says Bush would back threat to toughen testing
December 5, 2004
Scandal spotlights public's expectations
Shea: Game reaps big payoff by ignoring drug woes
Knapp: N.Y.'s disdain for Giambi a function of production
Ryan: A Faustian bargain for glory
Ostler: Steroid case just putting icing on cake
December 4, 2004
Lawyer: Bonds is innocent
Conte names names on '20/20'
Selig wants action
Jenkins: Game will survive
December 3, 2004
Bonds' BALCO testimony
Ratto: Was there intent?
Sprinter Kelli White describes torment
Gov't wants probe into leaks
Excerpts of Conte's '20/20' interview
Sheffield's side
Giambi could lose contract
NY media tee off on Giambi
December 2, 2004
Giambi admits steroid use
October 30, 2004
Sealed interviews released
October 29, 2004
Read some of the documents
October 17, 2004
Baseball's big concern: integrity
October 16, 2004
Trainer: Bonds used steroid in '03
October 9, 2004
BALCO boss says he's victim of 'vendetta'
August 26, 2004
It's a Grecian formula
August 23, 2004
Graham admits BALCO role
July 31, 2004
Unknown athletes linked to scandal
July 24, 2004
U.S. Olympic officials under pressure
July 23, 2004
Ex-husband: Jones took drugs
July 30, 2004
BALCO clears way for young talent
July 19, 2004
Score a win for clean team
Ostler: Scandal can't dim candle
July 16, 2004
Jacobs retired, Edwards embroiled (7/16)
July 13, 2004
BALCO owner, former director assessed big fine (7/13)
July 11, 2004
Scandal permeates track trials (7/11)
July 10, 2004
Judge rejects bid for USADA transcripts
July 9, 2004
Anti-doping officials to request secret testimony
July 8, 2004
Steroids' powerful, troubling attraction
June 28, 2004
'The clear' reportedly sickened some athletes
June 26, 2004
Judge wants probe into leak
June 24, 2004
Sprinter admitted use of 'magic potion'
Track star's testimony linked Bonds to steroid use
June 16, 2004
Conte asks Bush to aid plea deal
Letter to President Bush
San Mateo grandmother tied to case
June 9, 2004
Doping agency accuses 4 sprinters
June 3, 2004
Knapp: Jones must have her case on the air
Plea bargain talks for BALCO chief
June 1, 2004
Sprinter's ties to lab owner at issue
May 20, 2004
Kelli White suspended
Sprinter to testify in steroids case, faces ban
Knapp: Refreshing dose of remorse, responsibility
April 29, 2004
Document describes items found in search
April 21, 2004
Probe into BALCO's track link
April 15, 2004
Historic blasts bracketed by BALCO
March 27, 2004
Lawyer for Bonds coach tears into prosecution
March 2, 2004
Feds were told Bonds got steroids
February 13, 2004
2 of 4 indicted have close links to Giants superstar
Read affidavit filed by IRS special agent
Investigators found evidence trove in firm's garbage
A look at the drugs involved
December 21, 2003
How the doping scandal unfolded
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