McNamee’s testimony challenged

Clemens may have told truth, report concludes

? The top Republican on the congressional committee that investigated whether Roger Clemens used performance-enhancing drugs released a report Tuesday questioning the Democratic majority’s conclusion that the seven-time Cy Young Award winner might have lied in his testimony before the panel last month.

The 109-page report, obtained by The Associated Press, contains details Rep. Tom Davis believes could challenge the credibility of Brian McNamee, the personal trainer who testified under oath he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone from 1998-01.

Republican staff from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will pass along additional information to the Justice Department. The FBI is investigating whether Clemens lied to Congress.

“Did Roger Clemens lie to us?” Davis said in a release accompanying the report.

“Some of the evidence seems to say he did; other information suggests he told the truth,” the Virginia Republican said. “It’s a far more complicated picture than some may want to believe. Memories fade and recollections differ. That’s human nature, not criminal conduct. My concern is the integrity of sworn statements made to Congress. At this point, the Justice Department is best equipped to investigate that central question and reach a fair conclusion.”

The report includes portions of previously undisclosed interviews with new witnesses and addresses issues such as whether Clemens attended a party at then-teammate Jose Canseco’s house in 1998; information about injections of vitamin B-12; and whether Clemens developed an abscess on his buttocks.

The report – “Weighing the Committee Record: A Balanced Review of the Evidence Regarding Performance Enhancing Drugs in Baseball” – stands as a counterpoint to the 18-page memo released Feb. 27 by chairman Henry Waxman.