体坛英语新闻：Jones's agent suspended by US governing body

NEW YORK - Disgraced sprinter Marion Jones's long-time agent has been suspended by USA Track & Field (USATF) for two years after pleading guilty to bank fraud charges, the sport's U.S. governing body said on Friday.

Marion Jones sheds tears as she speaks to the media after leaving the U.S. Federal Courthouse in White Plains, New York in this October 5, 2007 file photo. [Agencies]

Charles Wells entered a guilty plea in federal court in March.

The fraud and money-laundering case also involved Jones, her ex-boyfriend and former world 100 metres record holder Tim Montgomery and another coach, Steve Riddick.

Wells will be suspended by USATF until March 2009 for violating its athlete representative regulations and he must apply for reinstatement, USATF spokeswoman Jill Geer told Reuters on Friday.

He did not return calls seeking comment on the suspension.

Jones is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court next month after pleading guilty in October to lying to federal investigators about her steroid use and the fraud case.

She has been stripped by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of her five 2000 Olympics medals and has retired from the sport.

Montgomery pleaded guilty to charges related to the $5 million fraud and money-laundering scheme and awaits sentencing. Riddick was convicted in May of conspiracy, bank fraud and money laundering relating to the case.