Colorado Springs – Troy Ellerman, the commissioner of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association, has resigned from his post less than a week after he pleaded guilty to releasing grand jury testimony from baseball players under scrutiny for steroid use.
Ellerman, who purchased a home in Woodland Park about two years ago, submitted his letter of resignation to the PRCA Board of Directors on Monday.
“Due to the fact that I have entered a plea of guilty in the BALCO case, I believe it is in the best interest of the PRCA to resign from my position as commissioner,” Ellerman said in the letter.
Ellerman, a former rodeo cowboy and California lawyer, earned $203,800 annually as the PRCA’s commissioner.
He represented Victor Conte, founder of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative, a lab based in Burlingame, Calif., that is at the center of a federal steroid probe.
Ellerman later represented BALCO vice president James Valente.
Ellerman admitted in court papers filed last week that he allowed San Francisco Chronicle reporters Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada to view transcripts of the grand jury testimony of baseball stars Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield and sprinter Tim Montgomery, according to court documents.
Ellerman faces two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
