Former Olympic champion Marion Jones says she should not have to be imprisoned for lying about steroids and check fraud because she’s already been punished enough, reports the Associated Press.
According to court papers filed on New Year’s Eve, Jones’ lawyers asked a federal judge to give her probation instead of jail time when her sentence is handed down next week.
“She has been cast from American hero to national disgrace,” the memo said. “The public scorn, from a nation that once adored her, and her fall from grace have been severe punishments. … She has been stripped of her gold medals, her accomplishments, her wealth and her public standing.”
Jones admitted in court in October that she lied to federal investigators about using steroids. She has since relinquished her five Olympic medals.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors suggested she be sentenced to six months in prison at most. In pre-sentencing papers filed Dec. 21 prosecutors said anything between no time and six months would be appropriate.
As previously reported, that filing included a doping calendar from the files of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative indicating Jones used several performance-enhancing drugs. Prosecutors said the evidence shows “a concentrated, organized, long-term effort to use these substances for her personal gain.”
In the check fraud scheme, Jones admitted lying about her knowledge of the involvement of track star Tim Montgomery, the father of her older son, in a scheme to cash millions of dollars worth of stolen or forged checks. Montgomery, who once held the world record in the 100 meters, pleaded guilty in the conspiracy.
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.
