Ronny Paulino Suspended 50 Games

Florida Marlins catcher, Ronny Paulino was suspended 50 games for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Paulino will not contest the result and his suspension will start immediately and carry into the beginning of next season.

Paulino claimed that the positive test resulted from a diet pill that was not approved by major league baseball. MLB’s statement did not reveal for which drug Paulino tested positive, as per policy.

Paulino issued a statement.

"To control my weight this season, I used a dietary pill. I recently learned that the dietary pill contained a substance banned under Major League Baseball's drug policy. I am ashamed and saddened for disappointing and distracting my family, my teammates, the entire Florida Marlins organization and baseball fans."

Marlins’ president David Samson said the suspension was "extraordinarily disappointing."

Samson said players at all levels of the organization are taught to look for what's known as NSF certification on anything they choose to ingest. NSF International is a company that gives athletes and consumers another resource to ensure the products they take are clean.

Otherwise, Samson said, it's DNT -- Do Not Take, in Marlins vernacular.

"I don't care if it's a Flintstones vitamin or something in a hypodermic needle," Samson said.

Paulino stands to lose around $270 000 in salary depending slightly on his salary/contract status for next year.

Sources

• Ronny Paulino suspended after testAssociated Press @ ESPN
• Paulino suspended for positive PED testMLB.com

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Roger Clemens Indicted For Perjury and Obstruction of Justice

Roger Clemens has been indicted for making false statements to Congress during his February 2008 hearing before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The alleged false statements came during a sometimes contentious hearing featuring contradictory testimony by Clemens and his former trainer, Brian McNamee, about Clemens’ use of performance enhancing drugs.

According to the New York Times, the indictment charges Clemens with one count of Obstruction of Congress, three counts of making false statements and two counts of perjury. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 30 years, but again according to the Times, "under the current sentencing guidelines, a conviction would likely bring 15-21 months."

In a statement, United States Attorney, Ronald C. Machen Jr. stressed the importance telling the truth to Congress.

"Americans have a right to expect that witnesses who testify under oath before Congress will tell the truth… Our government cannot function if witnesses are not held accountable for false statements made before Congress. Today the message is clear: if a witness makes a choice to ignore his or her obligation to testify honestly, there will be consequences. "

Clemens, of course, becomes the second baseball player indicted for perjury, after Barry Bonds in 2007. Bonds is scheduled to go on trial in March 2011.

View the official indictment here.

Sources

• Roger Clemens Is Indicted in Performance Drug CaseNew York Times
• Roger Clemens indicted ESPN
• The Official 19 Page IndictmentESPN

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• Congress Asks DOJ to Investigate Whether Roger Clemens Committed Perjury, Memo States Seven Contradictory Assertions
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