Probably not so good to be Miguel Tejada today. The now-Astro infielder seems like a likable guy. However, the past 48 hours were challenging for the shortstop, without alot relief in sight.
First the Waxman Congressional hearings opened by blasting Tejada as if he were Raffy Palmeiro lying to Congress (pdf of the letter from Waxman to the Justice Dept here). Then the unfortunate announcement that day that Tejada's older brother was killed in an accident in the Dominican Republic.
From the Waxman letter:
'We are writing to ask the Justice Department to investigate whether former Baltimore Orioles baseball player Miguel Tejada made knowingly false material statements to the Committee in connection with the Committee's investigation of former Orioles player RafaelPalmeiro. Such statements would constitute a violation of federal criminal law under 18 U.S.C.1001.
Mr. Tejada made statements to the Committee in a transcribed interview on August 26,
2005, regarding his knowledge of and involvement with steroids. Evidence contained in former Senator George Mitchell's report on steroid use in Major League Baseball appears to be inconsistent with the statements he gave to the Committee.
In light of the new evidence contained in Senator Mitchell's report, we respectfully
request that the Justice Department investigate Mr. Tejada's statements to the Committee.
Baltimore feels they unloaded a huge distraction when they dealt Tejada to Houston. Houston doesn't know if the shortstop will be will on the field this year or not. The player is not sure what is going on.
The Houston Chron worries about Tejada's ability to stay in the country, should he be convicted of something, say perjury.
Miguel Tejada's immigration status could be in peril in light of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee's decision to ask the Department of Justice to investigate whether the new Astros shortstop lied to federal investigators in 2005.
Tejada, a native of the Dominican Republic, is a legal U.S. resident with a green card. Yet there are some instances in which he could be denied entry back into the country just by admitting he committed a crime for which he is being investigated.
"Obstruction of justice is considered under immigration law a crime involving moral turpitude," said attorney Alexandre Afanassiev, who practices immigration litigation. "So the question then becomes, how long did he have his green card? Why? Because the law says that if you had your green card for less than five years and then committed a crime of moral turpitude, you can be subject to deportation. In other words, they can take your green card away because of that crime and (have you) sent home."
Today it was revealed the FBI will investigate Tejada's culpability in this steroid mess.
The U.S. Justice Department asked the FBI to review allegations that baseball star Miguel Tejada lied to congressional investigators about steroids, an agency official said.
The preliminary inquiry will be handled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Washington field office, the official, who requested anonymity, told reporters in Washington.
As a gestalt, we wonder if Tejada should feel a bit picked on. As an All-Star he draws attention, but should his past Congressional testimony be singled out, then turned over to the FBI for investigation? How about Roger Clemens? Doesn't that ruckus deserve more attention than Tejada's involvement, or at least as much investigation? Admittedly, Clemens does not stand accuse of perjury (at least at this point); however the potential scope of The Rocket's fraudulent actions seems much broader.
Congress should be careful not to make some of the PED users appear as victims.
Tsucks tobe Tejada today.
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