Steroid Nation (TM) is an online journal looking at the use of anabolic steroids (and performance enhancing drugs PEDs, HGH, doping) in sports, youth, and society. By Gary Gaffney, M.D., from the University of Iowa, College of Medicine.

02/11/2008

Clemens lawyer Rusty Hardin slapped down by Chairman Waxman

Congressman Henry Waxman sent Roger Clemens's attorney, Cowboy Rusty Hardin a letter of reprimand Sunday following Hardin's perceived threat against IRS agent (and BALCO investigator) Jeff Novitsky. Hardin, who has been threatening to kick a great deal of ass, threatened one too many times. To the New York Post:

Rusty Hardin, the lawyer representing Roger Clemens in the pitcher's
red-hot denials of performance-enhancing drug use, said Sunday with
dismay in his voice that he has always suspected his client could end
up embroiled in a federal prosecution.

He made the comments
moments before Henry Waxman, the chairman of the House Committee on
Government Oversight and Reform, sent out a blistering letter
reprimanding Hardin for making intemperate comments in the media about
a federal officer deeply involved in the sprawling BALCO steroids
investigation

What did Rusty say? This:

"If he ever messes with Roger, Roger will eat his lunch," Hardin said
in comments in a Sunday article in the New York Times that predicted
Jeff Novitzky, an I.R.S. special agent, would attend Wednesday's
hearing on the Mitchell Report that features Clemens and his accuser,
former Yankee strength and conditioning coach Brian McNamee. As part of
his agreement with federal authorities not to be prosecuted for steroid
distribution, McNamee agreed to cooperate with Mitchell's private
report on illicit drug use in baseball.

This ain't traffic court in Lubbock, cowboy. Don't be saying anything about lunch, because Congressmen take lunch very seriously:

"Under one interpretation it can be seen an attempt to intimidate a
federal law enforcement official in the performance of his official
duties," Waxman wrote. "I have never met with or spoken to Mr. Novitzky
and have no information whether he intends to attend the hearing. As an
independent branch of government, our inquiry operates independently of
the executive branch. And as a witness in our independent
investigation, it is not your client's prerogative to dictate who
attends or does not attend the hearing. Given your long service as both
a prosecutor and a private attorney, I trust you did not intend your
comments to be a signal that there could be adverse repercussions to a
federal law enforcement official for attending the hearing or taking
other official actions."

Hardin now believes that there will be a Justice Department investigation of Clemens. Guess who gets to continue to collect billable hours at a high rate? That's right, Cowboy Hardin. Perfect.