Former NFL Lineman Stubblefield Charged With Perjury in BALCO Investigation

By Paul Elias, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN FRANCISCO – Former NFL defensive lineman Dana Stubblefield was charged Friday with perjury, becoming the first football player accused in the BALCO federal steroids investigation.

Stubblefield, a three-time Pro Bowl player who testified before the BALCO grand jury in 2003, is charged with lying to federal agents about his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The charges unsealed in federal court in San Francisco contend Stubblefield made false statements to an IRS agent when he allegedly said he had not used steroids linked to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative and denied receiving performance-enhancing drugs from BALCO founder Victor Conte.

The 37-year-old Stubblefield pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.