Chronicle Wants Bonds Steroid Subpoenas Dismissed

07-11-06

San Francisco Chronicle attorneys want a federal judge to dismiss subpoenas demanding that two reporters reveal who leaked secret grand jury testimony about steroid use by Barry Bonds and other star athletes.

In court papers filed yesterday, the attorneys argued that the subpoenas should be dismissed because of government misconduct and prosecutors' failure to demonstrate a pressing need for the information.

Last month, the Justice Department asked a federal judge to enforce the subpoenas and order reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams to divulge who gave them the grand jury transcripts.

The two reporters could be jailed if they refuse to testify. The judge has scheduled a hearing for August 4th.

Hearst attorneys say ordering the reporters to disclose their confidential sources would send a message to journalists and the public that "the government would and could harass the press at will."