How do we feel about the Chron guys now?

Cran: Is there any part of you that reads that and thinks, 'oh, hell, who knows??' Not debating the validity of what you posted, just my own wariness at this point.

It worries me to a degree that a lot of people are reading this thread, and perhaps forming opinions--pro, con, yes, no, guilty, innocent, whatever--based on some of the information posted here. What I've learned from this discussion is that there are a lot of questions still to be asked, and we need to keep asking them.

 

Boom_70 says, "OK. So do they have a case against Ellerman?"

Ragu says, "This I don't know. But my instinct says they shouldn't be able to. When they were called to testify, they were under oath to tell the truth. That has nothing to do with any of the reasons given for keeping GJs secret. The witnesses' truthfulness isn't dependent on their testimony being done in secret. As far as I know, you can plead the fifth under grand jury questioning. So I am not sure how anyone who testified could make a serious argument that they've been damaged by their truthful testimony."

First of all, Ragu's statement "As far as I know, you can plead the fifth under grand jury questioning" is totally ridiculous. If anyone pleads the fifth before a grand jury, then the prosecution simply offers immunity. If you then refuse to testify, you will be in comtempt and very likely go to jail. This is precisely what happened to Greg Anderson. Everybody who went before the grand jury was offered immunity, period.

It's also an interesting question that was presented regarding whether or not anyone would have a civil suit against Ellerman. How about Conte? Ellerman originally served as Conte's attorney during the six month period after the BALCO raid and right up until the original indictments. Conte likely paid Ellerman a huge sum of money. It's also likely that Conte paid a huge amount in legal fees to the two lawyers he retained after the FBI raid of his home. Remember, Conte was considered by many to be a source/target in the leak investigation for more than two years. Seems that there may be some grounds for a civil suit by Conte against Ellerman.

creamora

 

Slightly off topic, but what became of Marion Jones' defamation suit against Conte?

 

Great point creamora. I had forgotten that Conte had retained Ellerman. I would think he will have a very solid civil case.

 

In what way would he have ANY case against Ellerman? It's one felon against another.

 

Where the hell is Whitlock? He went to bat big-time for Fainaru-Wada and Wms when they were in court. Now he's feeding a 700-post thread on His Own Greatness and leaving the floor to people trashing reporters. Where's Telander?

 

21,

It seems obvious regarding the outcome of the Marion Jones defamation suit. The case was settled out of court and the terms were not disclosed. However, immediately after the settlement was announced Conte went on the record again and stated that everything he had previously said about Jones was absolutely true. It doesn't take rocket science to figure out who likely won behind closed doors. The person who continued to publically tell the truth.

creamora

 

jaredk,

Ask any lawyer with half a brain about the possibility of a civil suit against Ellerman and I think you may be surprised at what you find out.
I wonder if Ellerman had malpractice insurance?

 

Ragu,

You just posted, "But that has nothing to do with any grand jury testimony that Conte gave," Please. Conte never gave any grand jury testimony at any point in time. Conte was the primary target in the BALCO case. Amazing stuff. What gem will you post next?

 

Seems to me everybody got off pretty light, except the trainer who's in jail because he won't give up Bonds.