Speculation swirls about forthcoming indictment for Bonds

SAN FRANCISCO -- With the grand jury investigating Barry Bonds apparently nearing the end of its term, speculation has swirled around the possibility that one of the game's greatest sluggers could be indicted for perjury or other crimes.

Last week, a federal judge who ordered Bonds' personal trainer jailed for refusing to testify against the San Francisco Giants star said the grand jury's probe into whether Bonds lied under oath about steroid use would end within weeks.

And Bonds' attorney, Michael Rains, has said that if the outfielder was to be indicted, it would come in July.

At least one Internet sportsbook has begun taking bets on whether Bonds will be indicted by July 31. A book based in Costa Rica is allowing a maximum bet of $50 on the yes-no question. Las Vegas casinos said they won't post similar wagers.

A spokesman for U.S. federal prosecutor Kevin Ryan declined to comment whether the investigation was near completion. That's no surprise, a former top lieutenant to Ryan said Wednesday, because grand jury proceedings are by necessity a closely held secret.

"On the one hand, the grand jury is entitled to truthful witnesses and, on the other hand, the rules of secrecy must be observed," said Jonathan Howden, the U.S. federal prosecutor's former chief of organized crime and drug enforcement.

The investigation centers not on whether Bonds used steroids -- which is not a crime -- but on whether he lied under oath about using a performance-enhancing substance known as "the clear."

A new grand jury was convened to consider perjury and possibly other charges against Bonds and has been meeting in secret for several months. Witnesses known to have testified in the probe include Giants trainer Stan Conte and Bonds' surgeon, Arthur Ting.

Rains has identified Bonds' former girlfriend, Kimberly Bell, and former friend Steve Hoskins as key witnesses in the probe.

Hoskins' lawyer, Michael Cardoza, could not be reached Wednesday for comment. Bell declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press.

Bonds' personal trainer, Greg Anderson, is sitting in a Bay Area jail because he refused to testify against his childhood friend.