Judge Denies Names Release in Drug Probe
A federal magistrate has denied a request by the Associated Press to release the names of players allegedly implicated by former major-league pitcher Jason Grimsley.
“Disclosure at this time may compromise the ongoing investigation in several ways,” said U.S. Magistrate Edward C. Voss.
The AP had asked several times for the court to reveal names crossed out in a sworn statement by IRS agent Jeff Novitzky. That document had been used to support a warrant issued against Grimsley in order to search his Arizona home last year.
The AP had contended that the public had a right to know and access the entire, un-edited document. Voss ruled that revelation of the names could harm further investigations and outweighed any First Ammendment rights.
“Cooperation could be affected,” Voss wrote. “investigation of named individuals could be compromised, leads developed from undisclosed information could be cut off and evidence could be destroyed.”
Rumors have been circulating for some time what other names were mentioned, but crossed out, in the document. David Sequi came forward saying one of the names was his. However, it has been rumored that Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Miguel Tejada, Brian Roberts and Jay Gibbons were also listed in the document.
Date: July 27, 2007
Article: Judge denies request to reveal players implicated in drug use
Reference: ESPN
Reference: Major League Baseball