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The man behind the scheme, who masterminded a system to distribute undetectable banned substances to professional athletes such as baseball icons Giambi and Bonds and sprinting gold medalist Jones decades ago, has passed away. He reached 75 years.

Government Probe and Convictions

The federal government's investigation into another company established by Conte, the Bay Area lab, resulted in the convictions of Jones, top track cyclist Thomas, and ex-pro football defender Stubblefield, along with coaches, distributors, a trainer, a chemist and a lawyer.

Open Discussions and Prison Time

Conte, who served four months in federal prison for dealing steroids, talked publicly about his high-profile athletes. He appeared on television to claim he had observed decorated Olympian Jones self-administer with growth hormones, but consistently avoided pointing the finger at Bonds, the baseball star.

Sport's Official Review

This probe inspired the book Game of Shadows. Just days following the publication date in that year, the sport's chief Selig brought on ex-senator Mitchell to investigate steroids.

He admitted he distributed steroids known as two specific substances and advised on their application to numerous elite athletes, including Giambi, a five-time major league All-Star, the Mitchell report said.

Using PEDs represents a major risk to the fairness of the sport,” the report stated. “Broad usage by competitors of these drugs unfairly disadvantages the honest athletes who refuse to use them and leads to skepticism about the legitimacy of historical stats.”

It was stated the problems didn’t develop overnight. He said everyone involved in the sport in the prior two decades – covering commissioners, club officials, the representative body and players – were partly accountable for what he termed the doping period.

Investigation Origins

The government's case into the company was initiated by a revenue officer digging through the company’s trash. Conte ended up pleading guilty to a pair of the multiple accusations against him in 2005 ahead of a court case. Several of the individuals found guilty were ensnared for lying to the court.

Associated Convictions

Bonds’ personal trainer Greg Anderson, admitted guilt to drug dealing counts linked to his involvement with Balco. He received a sentence to 90 days in incarceration and an equal period of restricted movement.

Bonds' Legal Battles

The baseball legend was indicted for deceiving a federal jury about receiving performance-enhancing drugs and stood trial in the early 2010s. The case was dismissed the case down the line when the authorities chose not to appeal an overturned ruling to the highest court.

A multiple MVP winner and star performer, he concluded his playing days after the 2007 campaign with a record home run tally, exceeding the milestone of Aaron's total that Aaron achieved from his career. Bonds denied consciously consuming banned substances but has failed to gain entry to the Hall of Fame.

Later Years

The former convict remarked to the press in a 2010 interview that “competitors do cheat to succeed, but the federal representatives engage in misconduct as well.” He also questioned whether the results in these trials merited the work.

Post-incarceration, he resumed operations in the late 2000s by reviving a nutritional supplements business he had launched two decades earlier called SNAC System. He located it in the identical location that previously contained Balco in Burlingame.

Unapologetic Views

Conte stayed unrepentant about his major involvement in distributing tailored drugs to elite athletes. He claimed he simply helped “even the competition” in a arena full of cheaters.

Expert Opinions

To a WADA member, a at the time a member of the global anti-doping body, he may as well have been selling hard drugs. “You are talking about blatant drug dealing. It's about using drugs in breach of national statutes,” he stated in 2007. “This isn't charity and this is not some do-gooding. It's trafficking.”