Under federal sentencing guidelines, Clemens, 48, could face 15 to 21 months in prison if convicted. The maximum sentence would be 30 years and a $1.5 million fine.
Clemens joins home run king Barry Bonds and former American League Most Valuable Player Miguel Tejada as the only major leaguers charged with crimes connected to the steroid crisis. He is accused of lying when he denied illegally injecting anabolic steroids while playing for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1998 and New York Yankees in 2000 and 2001.
The Rocket, as he became known during a Cooperstown-caliber 24-year career, is charged with making 14 other false statements, including denying he illegally ingested human growth hormone in 2001. He effectively was charged with lying throughout his congressional testimony and a sworn deposition eight days earlier.
“Our government cannot function if witnesses are not held accountable for false statements made before Congress,’’ said Ronald C. Machen Jr., US attorney for the District of Columbia. “Today the message is clear: If a witness ignores his or her responsibility to testify honestly, there will be consequences.’’
Clemens has steadfastly denied using performance enhancers, as he did repeatedly under oath before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The committee called the hearing after a 2007 report by former US senator George L. Mitchell detailed damaging information about more than 80 major leaguers, including Clemens, during the decades-long steroid epidemic in baseball.
“Let me be clear,’’ Clemens told the House panel, “I have never taken steroids or HGH.’’
With his denials, Clemens “did corruptly endeavor to influence, obstruct, and impede’’ the House investigation, the grand jury alleged in a 19-page indictment.
Clemens yielded no ground despite the indictment.
“I never took HGH or steroids. And I never lied to Congress,’’ he said on Twitter. “I look forward to challenging the government’s accusations, and hope people will keep an open mind until trial. I appreciate all the support I have been getting. I am happy to finally have my day in court. Rocket.’’
