The federal government has spent six million dollars on a trial of former San Francisco Giants star Barry Bonds. Why?
Now, I am not a fan of Barry Bonds. First, he played most of his career for the San Francisco Giants and I am a Dodger fan. Second, he always seemed arrogant and aloof, mistreating the press and fans. I do think he was a fantastically talented player. Steroids or no, hitting a baseball moving at 95 miles per hour is the hardest thing to do in sports.
Several years back, Barry Bonds testified before a federal grand jury. He now stands accused of lying to that grand jury. The federal perjury charges against Barry Bonds were tried this week and the jury is currently deliberating. By some accounts, the case did not go real well for the government. A key witness refused to testify and prosecutors dropped one charge against Bonds as the trial progressed.
But why did this trial take place at all? Is the public really served by a federal prosecution, at a cost of millions of taxpayer dollars, of Barry Bonds? Is it now the role of the federal government to protect the sanctity of baseball’s all time home run record? We have an Attorney General and a Department of Justice who were forced to admit this week that they cannot try accused terrorists in federal court, but the Department stands ready, willing and able to spend millions prosecuting retired baseball players.
This summer the federal government’s case against Roger Clemens is expected to proceed to trial. He is accused of lying to Congress. Putting aside the rather ironic twist that citizens can be charged with a federal crime for lying to Congress, but the opposite does not apply to members of Congress, what is achieved by a Clemens prosecution? No doubt the government will be forced to spend millions more to do battle with Clemens’ high priced lawyers. In the end, if they get a conviction what does it really mean? That Clemens did not win 350 major league games? That he is not as good a guy as some of us thought? Are the streets somehow safer if Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds spend three months in federal prison?
With the government’s doors staying open now, maybe we need to ask ourselves why it is the job of the Feds to clean up Major League baseball? Why are we spending millions on trials that, if a conviction is obtained, will result in little jail time and even less public safety. I am not worried about Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens roaming the streets. Bonds and Clemens aren't great guys, but there are a lot of people who worry me a lot more. Maybe our tax dollars would be better spent on them.
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