Olympic Gold Medalist Marion Jones-Thompson Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements in Two Separate Federal Criminal Inve...(gomery's involvement in acounterfeit che...),Health

The California Investigation

A federal criminal investigation commenced in the Northern District of California in 2002, concerning a scheme to distribute anabolic steroids and other illegal performance-enhancing drugs and the related money laundering of the proceeds by BALCO, a California corporation located in Burlingame, California, which performed blood-testing and other functions.

While investigating BALCO, the investigation developed information regarding the drug distribution activities of Trevor Graham, who coached professional and Olympic track and field athletes, including Jones-Thompson from approximately 1997 to 2002. The investigation subsequently expanded to include, among other things, whether various witnesses had made false statements during interviews with federal agents. On Sept. 3, 2003, a federal search warrant issued by a United States Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of California was executed at the BALCO premises in Burlingame, California. Among other things, investigators obtained evidence concerning Jones-Thompson and her relationship with BALCO and Graham, including her receipt and use of drugs they provided.

The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), San Jose Office, was the lead investigative agency throughout the course of the California investigation. As part of that investigation, on Nov. 4, 2003, a Special Agent of IRS-CID, along with another Government official, interviewed Marion Jones-Thompson. Prior to the interview, Jones-Thompson and the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California executed a letter-agreement which provided that any statements Jones made during the interview would not be used against her in connection with any prosecution, except under limited circumstances. Th
'/>"/>