Judge refuses to dismiss Balco charges

A United States judge has rejected a request to dismiss charges against the main defendants in the Balco steroid case.

Victor Conte, head of the Balco lab, had asked the court to dismiss charges against him based on "outrageous government conduct" and other violations.

While the judge, Susan Illston, ordered hearings into whether the government acted properly in its investigation, she rejected the defendants' contention that the case warrants were based on an out-of-date tip.

The case involves former Olympic champion Marion Jones, who has denied Conte's allegations that he devised a doping programme for her. Jones is now suing Conte.

The judge set a 31 January date for the evidentiary hearings and the full trial may begin as soon as March.