A federal prosecutor on Thursday recommended that All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada get probation and no prison time for misleading Congress about the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
U.S. attorney Jeffrey Taylor said in a memo to Federal Magistrate Judge Alan Kay that Tejada deserves that reduced sentence because he has admitted wrongdoing, accepted responsibility and has no criminal record. Tejada is to be sentenced March 26.
Tejada is the 2002 American League MVP with the Oakland Athletics and a five-time All-Star now plays for the Houston Astros.
Taylor also cited Tejada's disadvantaged childhood in the Dominican Republic and his dedication to become a distinguished major league player who gives back to the community where he was raised.
Tejada pleaded guilty last month to one count of making misrepresentations to Congress, which carried a maximum sentence of a year imprisonment and a fine up to $100,000. Taylor says Tejada should be fined $250 to $5,000.
"Mr. Tejada poses a minimal risk of recidivism and, based on his public statements, appears to have learned a difficult and important life lesson from his experience in this case. He is entitled to an appropriate amount of credit for this," Taylor said in his sentencing memo.
Tejada admitted he withheld information about an ex-teammate's use of steroids and human growth hormone when questioned by a House committee's investigators in August 2005. He also acknowledged he bought HGH while playing for the A's, but said he threw the drugs away without using them. Prosecutors said they have no evidence to contradict that.
