THE key witness in the Bombers drugs saga was offered a potential job by Australia’s anti-doping watchdog as it sought to secure his co-operation in the case.

In a secret email exchange obtained by the Herald Sun, a senior Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigator discusses enlisting colourful biochemist Shane Charter.

In the October 5 email to Charter — sent as the watchdog was trying to convince him to testify against 34 past and present Bomber players — ASADA’s Paul Simonsson raised the possibility of a role with an NRL anti-doping campaign, writing: “The NRL is looking for a heavy hitting campaign and I have mentioned your worth.

“Further discussions most likely.”

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Charter told the Herald Sun last night the investigator had likened him to the swindler depicted in movie Catch Me if You Can, who gave up a life of crime to be a fraud prevention adviser to the FBI.

“He said I was the Frank Abagnale of sport,” Charter said.

The revelation comes amid concerns over the transparency of anti-doping hearings against the “Essendon 34’’, which AFL tribunal chairman David Jones last night ruled would be held in private.

media_camera The email from Shane Charter.

media_camera Paul Simonsson’s response.

ASADA sources have confirmed that the email is authentic and was sent by Simonsson.

The Herald Sun has also learned ASADA held internal discussions about giving Charter a role; however, he was never formally offered one.

Sources say that ASADA talked about recruiting him to educate athletes about the dangers of doping, but the idea was terminated after checks with Victoria Police.

Charter is facing criminal drug charges and has been the subject of multiple investigations by state and federal authorities.

It is believed Charter was also invited to become a registered informant for the anti-doping body, but this did not eventuate either.

Simonsson, a seasoned and respected investigator, recently left the agency to pursue a more senior role within a different government agency.

media_camera Sports scientist Stephen Dank says he may give evidence at the AFL tribunal hearings. Picture: Michael Klein

Charter is a key witness in ASADA’s case against the Bombers; however, he has recently and unexpectedly decided to stop co-operating.

ASADA has made an extraordinary bid to force him to testify, by seeking a subpoena in the Supreme Court.

A hearing on that matter is due tomorrow.

The anti-doping tribunal case, set for December 15, can proceed with or without Charter.

But the tribunal would likely give his evidence more weight if he were to appear in person.

Charter has documents which allegedly suggest the Bombers’ former sports scientist, Stephen Dank, ordered the banned Thymosin beta 4 from him in a form consistent with how a substance was given to players.

ASADA must show why it believes 34 current and former Bombers were given the banned drug.

carly.crawford@news.com.au