Football
Associated Press 19y

Jones filed $25M defamation suit vs. Conte

SAN FRANCISCO -- Marion Jones' attorneys' filed a motion Thursday asking a judge to deny Victor Conte's request for a 30-day extension to respond to her $25 million defamation suit against the BALCO founder.

Jones sued Conte in federal court in December, alleging the head of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative tarnished her reputation when he told a national television audience that Jones used drugs before and after the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where she won three gold medals and two bronzes.

When the suit was filed, Conte called it "nothing more than a PR stunt by a desperate woman, who has regularly used drugs throughout her career. I look forward with all confidence to the court proceedings."

Jones' attorneys accused Conte of evading a process server eight times and said he waited six weeks after making that statement to hire James Wagstaffe as his attorney.

Conte has to respond to the suit by next Thursday unless a judge grants an extension. Jones' attorneys said a delay would irreparably harm the track star, causing "injury to her reputation and loss of business opportunities."

"Each day that passes presents more opportunities for Conte to defame Jones and fewer opportunities for Jones to clear her name," the motion said.

Jones' attorneys said they offered Conte an unconditional 14-day extension or a full 30-day extension if his attorneys would agree to hold a required conference by March 31.

Wagstaffe did not immediately return a call and Conte did not answer an e-mail request for comment.

^ Back to Top ^