Before Marion Jones admitted that she had lied about using illegal drugs, the company that billed itself as a vitamin and nutritional supplement supplier had long been under investigation.
Federal officials began investigating Balco in 2003, after the US Anti-Doping Agency received an anonymous tip about a previously unknown drug - later identified as the synthetic steroid THG.
On July 15, 2005, founder Victor Conte and baseball star Barry Bonds' personal trainer, Greg Anderson, made plea bargains in the case. They pleaded guilty to illegal steroid distribution and money laundering to avoid an embarrassing trial.
Athletics coach Remi Korchemny and chemist Patrick Arnold were also convicted, as was former company vice-president James Valente. Athletics coach Trevor Graham, who helped launch the investigation as the anonymous tipster, is facing trial on charges of making false statements to investigators.
AFP