Performance enhancing drugs used and suspensions follow .. Mitchell report due Thursday

George J Mitchell is mentioned in the last post reporting all those years ago on Israeli settlements .. now he is causing concerns in his report on drug abuse in Baseball ..the report is expected next week.

2 players were suspended yesterday - Jay Gibbons of the Orioles and José Guillén, who played for the Mariners last season and is now with the Royals — they will serve 15-day suspensions at the start of the 2008 season.(Sports Illustrated report)

Neither Gibbons nor Guillén has tested positive for a banned substance. But each was linked, through documentary evidence, to having received human growth hormone and steroids.

Mitchell, who was appointed to conduct his investigation by Commissioner Bud Selig in March 2006, has documentary evidence, but no test results, that ties dozens of players to purchases of drugs from 1995 through 2005.

Mitchell received information from Kirk Radomski, a former Mets clubhouse attendant who pleaded guilty in April to federal charges of steroid distribution.

Between October 2003 and July 2005, Gibbons received six shipments of H.G.H. and two shipments of steroids, SI.com reported in September.

Gibbons said yesterday in a written statement."I am deeply sorry for the mistakes that I have made. I have no excuses and bare sole responsibility for my decisions," the Baltimore outfielder said. "Years ago, I relied on the advice of a doctor, filled a prescription, charged the HGH, (Human Growth Hormone) which is a medication, to my credit card and had only intended to help speed my recovery from my injuries and surgeries."

Michael Weiner, the general counsel for the players union, said Gibbons did not plan to appeal his suspension.

Guillén, according to a report in The San Francisco Chronicle, ordered more than $19,000 worth of H.G.H. and steroids from May 2002 to June 2005. Weiner said Guillén would appeal.

Adam Applegarth interview on June 28th - a revealing glimpse into the mind of a financial criminal

Adam Applegarth CEO (now almost EX CEO) of Northern Rock gave an interview published on June 28th on "Thisismoney.co.uk.

This was 2 days before the period end when six month interim accounts were drawn up by the Directors, and just after the company isued a profits warning.

It is worth remembering that he had sold on Lord Patel's birthday 25th Jan 2006 52,253 shares @ 957p = £500,061.21 and the next day 111,426 shares @ 957p = £1,066,346.82).

April 2007 he bought under a company wide share scheme 262 shares for a approx £3,000...

Quotes :

"All of Applegarth's wealth is tied up with Northern, where he has his mortgage, current account and his company pension. "

"I genuinely think Northern Rock shares are a steal, so to a certain extent we are vulnerable because we are small. Of course it would be good to remain independent, but we are a PLC and I am not the master of that destiny. "

"Bear Stearns reckons fast-growing Northern's business model is flawed in the current environment, when Libor is accelerating faster than the Bank of England base rate. "

"This is the stickiest rate environment there could be for us, yet we are still getting a 15% profit increase. But that kind of gets lost in the wash," ( The 6 months results showed a profit increase of 1%)

"There are always good days and bad days,' he smiles. The bitterness of the profit downgrade was sweetened by Northern finally receiving its Basle II waiver yesterday, which will release spare capital and pave the way for 'a huge increase in dividends and share buybacks" (The 6 months accounts incorporated a dividend increased by 33%.)