PRCA Rodeo commissioner resigns amid athlete steroid scandal The Colorado lawyer who pleaded guilty in San Francisco to leaking secret grand jury transcripts in a federal steroids probe has resigned as commissioner of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. The Colorado Springs-based PRCA announced in a news release Tuesday that Troy Ellerman submitted his letter of resignation Monday. Ellerman acknowledged in court papers filed last week that he had allowed two newspaper reporters to look at transcripts of grand jury testimony from baseball stars Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield, and sprinter Tim Montgomery. "Due to the fact that I have entered a plea of guilty in the BALCO case, I believe it is in the best interest of the PRCA to resign from my position as commissioner," Ellerman said in a news release. "It has been an honor to serve the PRCA. The PRCA is well served by a strong Board of Directors, and I am confident it will continue to move forward under its direction." In a statement, PRCA Chairman of the Board Keith Martin said the board appreciated Ellerman's service and credited him for helping the organization through a successful financial turnaround. The PRCA has appointed Martin as interim chief executive officer....
Verdict on reporters: sleazy double-dealing Two San Francisco Chronicle reporters - Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams - have made themselves poster children for advocates of a federal shield law by risking jail to protect the source who leaked them federal grand jury testimony by three professional baseball stars, including Barry Bonds. Thursday, we learned just whom they were protecting when Troy Ellerman, a defense attorney for one of BALCO's vice presidents, pleaded guilty to contempt of court, obstruction of justice and filing a false declaration with a federal court. Ellerman leaked the testimony to the Chronicle reporters, then went out and argued that the ensuing publicity would deny his client a fair trial. Worse, he filed motions with the court alleging that prosecutors had leaked the testimony and that charges against the BALCO official should be dismissed. The two reporters maintained their silence while all this occurred. Worse, Fainaru-Wada returned to the defense attorney's office to obtain more leaked testimony after their source had lied in public and to the court. To assert any form of journalistic privilege in a situation like that is something far worse than moral obtuseness. Conspiring with somebody who you know is actively perverting the administration of justice to your mutual advantage is a betrayal of the public interest whose protection is the only basis on which journalistic privilege has a right to assert itself....
Lawyer pleads on leak charge A Colorado lawyer pleaded guilty Thursday to obstructing justice by leaking secret grand jury documents to two reporters covering the government's probe of steroids in sports. Troy Ellerman could be sent to prison for as long as two years and fined up to $250,000 for the convictions. His sentencing was scheduled for June 14. The 44-year-old Ellerman also could lose his license to practice law. Ellerman's appearance came the day after federal prosecutors announced he agreed to plead guilty to obstructing justice in a deal that would prevent two San Francisco Chronicle reporters from going to jail for refusing to divulge their source. Ellerman signed agreements with prosecutors and was under court orders to keep the grand jury testimony confidential. Ellerman even made a motion in October 2004 to dismiss the case against Valente because of "repeated government leaks of confidential information." Prosecutors said a "previously unknown witness" approached the FBI and offered to help prove that Ellerman was the source. Larry McCormack, former executive director of the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and a private investigator who briefly worked for Conte, said Thursday that he tipped off FBI agents. McCormack said he shared a Sacramento office with Ellerman and that Fainaru-Wada visited there several times in 2004. McCormack said Ellerman told him about the leaks....
Some won't be sorry to see rodeo official go Ellerman's tenure at the PRCA has been turbulent, according to some who served on the association's boards. His aggressive, sometimes confrontational manner may explain in part the circumstances that landed him in trouble in California, where he grew up, earned his law degree and still practices law. "I'm not surprised," said Leon Vick, a rodeo cowboy and former PRCA board member who was voted off of the board last May after clashing with Ellerman over the association's financial records. Vick said Ellerman was abusive and ruthless toward those who disagreed with him, often unleasing strings of profanity. "That's how he kept the weaker members in line," Vick said. Ellerman seemed to conduct much of the association's business on his own without bringing it to the board, Vick said. Vick's final argument with Ellerman came when Ellerman refused to show the board the documents disclosing the financial figures when he sold off the association's Pro Rodeo Tour circuit. "He never would show the board of directors the contract," said Vick. After Vick and Ellerman argued, Ellerman collected enough votes to oust Vick from the board, he said. Ellerman led the PRCA board into another vote last year to move the association and the Hall of Champions to Albuquerque, N.M., even though the hall was a separate entity. "He was dead wrong," said Harry Vold, a member of the Hall of Champions board. "They didn't even own the Hall of Champions and never consulted our board. They made a deal without any authority." Vold said the PRCA board is controlled by Ellerman. "He pretty much runs the show," Vold said. Thursday's guilty pleas should mark the end of Ellerman's control of the PRCA and usher in new leadership, Vold and Vick agreed....