Marion Jones' former coach indicted
in Balco investigation

By Jason Bennert, Bay City News Service

November 2, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - Federal prosecutors announced today that an Olympic track and field coach has been indicted on charges of lying to Internal Revenue Service agents in connection with the BALCO investigation.

North Carolina-based coach Trevor Graham was indicted on three counts of making false statements to federal authorities during a June 2004 meeting at his attorney's office.

"The charges allege that Graham intentionally lied to IRS-CI agents who were pursuing the original source of the illegal performance-enhancing drugs taken by many of the athletes tied to BALCO,'' the Burlingame-based Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, U.S.

Attorney Kevin Ryan said in a statement. "Today's charges demonstrate this office's ongoing commitment to investigate and prosecute not only those involved in the illegal doping of our nation's athletes, but also those who lie to federal agents involved in a criminal investigation. As made clear today, intentionally making false statements to federal agents in the course of a criminal investigation is a serious federal felony.''

In 2000 Graham coached Marion Jones to five medals, including three golds, at the Sydney Olympics. He also coached her former boyfriend, former world-record sprinter Tim Montgomery, who was later suspended from competition for two years and stripped of his world record in the 100-meter dash. At least 10 athletes connected with Graham have been suspended or investigated for using performance-enhancing drugs.

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