Trainer McNamee turns over evidence on Clemens

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The lawyers for trainer Brian McNamee dropped a bombshell Wednesday, claiming they gave federal prosecutors physical evidence that proves Roger Clemens used performance-enhancing drugs.

The New York Daily News, citing an anonymous source close to McNamee, reported the evidence will include syringes McNamee says were used to inject Clemens with human growth hormone and steroids, in addition to empty bottles and gauze.

"I think this is a significant point in the case," said McNamee's lead lawyer, Earl Ward. "We believe that this is significant corroboration."

Clemens attorney Lanny Breuer attacked McNamee's credibility in a statement.

"Brian McNamee is obviously a troubled man who is obsessed with doing everything possible to destroy Roger Clemens," Breuer said.

McNamee was a key figure in the Mitchell Report — an investigation into drug use in baseball — that was released in December, saying he injected Clemens with performance-enhancing drugs in 1998, 2000 and 2001.

Clemens repeatedly has denied the accusations and has filed a defamation lawsuit against McNamee. Clemens gave a five-hour sworn deposition Tuesday to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and afterward again denied using performance-enhancing drugs.

Clemens, former teammates and Houston residents Andy Pettitte and Chuck Knoblauch and McNamee will appear before the committee in a public hearing Wednesday. McNamee will give a deposition to the committee today.

Roger Clemens has sued his former trainer Brian McNamee over steroid allegations. Roger Clemens has sued his former trainer Brian McNamee over steroid allegations. Photo: STEVEN SENNE, AP Photo: STEVEN SENNE, AP Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Trainer McNamee turns over evidence on Clemens 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

"As Roger has said under oath to Congress and to the American public, at no time did he take steroids or growth hormone," Breuer said. "Despite the desperate smears of Brian McNamee, Roger is looking forward to testifying before Congress next week to set the record straight.

"He will not waver, nor will he shrink from this, because he is telling the truth. We ask all fair-minded people to listen. It is time for Brian McNamee to be subject to the same scrutiny as Roger Clemens."

Clemens could open himself up to prosecution if it's proved he lied under oath about using performance-enhancing drugs. Richard Emery, another of McNamee's lawyers, said the committee will be given a description of the evidence that was turned over to prosecutors.

"It does change the nature of the case from a 'he said, she said' to something about physical evidence," Emery said.

Meeting with lawmaker

A spokeswoman for Rep. Elijah Cummings , D-Md., a member of the Oversight Committee , said a representative for Clemens contacted Cummings' office Wednesday to set up a "one-on-one" meeting with the lawmaker.

Cummings spokeswoman Jen Kohl said several other committee members also were asked to meet individually after the report that McNamee had given federal prosecutors physical evidence surfaced. Cummings is expected to meet with Clemens today.

McNamee, the former personal trainer for Clemens and Pettitte, also told former Senate majority leader George Mitchell that he injected Pettitte with HGH. Pettitte corroborated the claim by admitting he used HGH twice to help him recover from an injury.

Emery said McNamee's legal team planned to hold a news conference after their client's deposition in Washington today and will discuss the evidence in greater detail then. Clemens' camp could contend the evidence was tampered with, considering it was alleged to have been collected seven years ago.

"(McNamee) has changed his story repeatedly on this matter," Breuer said. "He claims to love Roger Clemens. He says he modeled being a father on Roger Clemens. He said Roger treated him like family — but he now claims he kept blood, gauze and needles from Roger Clemens for seven years. It defies all sensibility. It is just not credible. Who in their right mind does such a thing?"

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

brian.mctaggart@chron.com