SAN JOSE, California, 13 June 2004 — C.J. Hunter, the former husband of American sprint star Marion Jones, is cooperating with investigators in the BALCO steroid scandal, the San Jose Mercury News reported here Saturday.
Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper reported Hunter’s attorneys have been in contact with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for two weeks and that Hunter met with US Attorney’s Office representatives earlier this week in San Francisco.
“C.J. is cooperating and intends to continue with all relevant government and law-enforcement entities,” Angela DeMent, Hunter’s Raleigh, North Carolina-based attorney, told the newspaper. Jones, who won five medals at the Sydney Olympics, is being investigated to determine her role in a steroid scandal that has rocked American athletics.
Jones has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing and had no positive drug tests, but the prior undetectability of THG, the steroid at the heart of the BALCO case, has officials handing down bans based upon documents and other evidence. US sprinter Kelli White was given a two-year ban based upon gathered evidence and four other Americans have been notified they could face drug use charges, a group that includes 100m world record-holder Tim Montgomery.
Hunter, a retired shot putter, and Jones divorced three years ago after it was learned that he tested positive for steroids four times before the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Among those who defended Hunter in Sydney was Victor Conte, the BALCO founder who is among four men who have pleaded not guilty to charges of distributing banned drugs.
