Sen. George Mitchell told today’s Congressional hearing that Brian McNamee’s claims that he injected Roger Clemens with steroids were accurate.
“We believe that the statements provided to us were truthful,” Mitchell said. Mitchell detailed the motivation McNamee had to tell the truth, as the personal trainer was cooperating as part of a plea bargain agreement with California authorities.
“[McNamee knew] that any untruthful statement would be a criminal violation … and would be a felony,” said Mitchell, who added that those consequences were made clear numerous times.
“Thus, Mr. McNamee had an overwhelming incentive to tell the truth.”
Clemens has vehemently denied the claims McNamee made in the Report, that he helped Clemens use performance-enhancing drugs at three different junctures in his career, which included two seperate stints with the Yankees.
Mitchell said he interviewed McNamee three times for his report, once in person and twice on the phone, all with McNamee’s lawyer present.
“[McNamee was told] we wanted nothing but the truth, no exaggeration, no minimizing,” Mitchell said.
Questioned by Rep. Elanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) about McNamee’s credibility as a source for the Report, the former senator said, “Since the Report was issued, Andy Pettitte said Mr. McNamee’s statement about him (that Pettitte used human growth hormone) were true. It confirmed his testimony.”
Mitchell said that before the Report was made public, the portions that included claims by McNamee were read back to him verbatim and he was “completely comfortable” with the content, other than minor items with no material influence.
Mitchell also was asked by Holmes why Clemens did not cooperate with the Report. Mitchell said, “I do not know why. We followed the legal process we were required to follow,” notifying Clemens through the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Clemens is scheduled to appear before this committee on Feb. 13, along with Pettitte, McNamee and former Mets employee Kirk Radomski.
Clemens has denied his use in a video on his Web site, in a “60 Minutes” interview, and in a press conference. He also is suing McNamee for defamation.