Doping scandal swirls at feet of a Giant - BALCO CASE: Bonds' former girlfriend testifies

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 3/20/5 | Lance Williams, Mark Fainaru-Wada

[SmithL]

Prosecutors in the BALCO steroids conspiracy case subpoenaed a former girlfriend of Barry Bonds to testify before a federal grand jury in San Francisco last week, questioning her about the Giants star's finances and whether he used steroids, The Chronicle has learned.

Kimberly Bell, 35, a graphic artist from San Jose who says she dated Bonds from 1994 to 2003, told the grand jury Thursday that in 2000, the left fielder confided to her that he had begun using steroids, according to two sources familiar with an account of her testimony.

Bell also testified that in 2001, Bonds had given her $80,000 in cash -- earned, she claimed, from his sale of autographed baseballs and other memorabilia -- to make the down payment on a house for her in Scottsdale, Ariz., near the Giants' spring training facility, the sources said.

Bonds' attorney, Michael Rains, said the Giants star had never used banned substances and had never made big cash payments to Bell. He said he had "no grave concern, none at all," about the grand jury inquiry.

Bell testified with a grant of full immunity from prosecution, said her attorney, criminal defense specialist Hugh Levine of San Francisco.

"It's clear from the subpoena that they are looking at Barry Bonds and the possibility he may have given untruthful testimony to the grand jury," Levine said in an interview. "And the case is being investigated by an IRS agent, and that speaks for itself."

[SmithL]

Kimberly Bell, who says she was Barry Bonds' girlfriend for nine years, is writing a book about their relationship.

[jscd3]

Bell also testified that in 2001, Bonds had given her $80,000 in cash...

Wonder if he ever paid the gift tax on that?

More likely, we know what the Fed's have on the gal to get her to testify - she never decalred $80,000 in income for srvices rendered...

[zarf]

Yeah, that looks like a photo of some chick with no agenda. </ sarc>

[Vision]

While I think Bonds is a piece of crap, not even man enough to admit he knew he was using steroids- and the government doesn't think he's man enough to testify even after he admitted use- what is up with all these ice cold women?

[TommyDale]

"...what is up with all these ice cold women?"

Follow the money trail.

By the way, Bonds could have done much better that this.

[Vision]

Bonds could have done much better that this.

piece of crap attracts piece of crap /humble grin

[drt1]

Of course the tell all book. If she plays it right it will make the 80K seem like chump change. Look for Bonds to be assaulted on many fronts - IRS, Steroids, Perjured testimony etc. He's been flying way too close to the flame IMO.

[thoughtomator]

Barry Bonds represents everything that has gone wrong with baseball... the me-first attitude and the glorification of cheaters. He deserves everything he has coming to him, and more, for his role in destroying our (former) national pastime.