SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -Lawyers for two men accused in a drug-distribution ring reiterated Thursday that Barry Bonds never received steroids from the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative.

The attorneys also called for an investigation into how information was leaked to a newspaper that reported Bonds was given steroids and human growth hormone by his personal trainer, Greg Anderson – who allegedly got them from BALCO.

The San Francisco Chronicle, quoting information it said was given to federal investigators, reported Tuesday that steroids were given to Bonds, New York Yankees stars Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield, three other major leaguers and one NFL player.

Bonds, Giambi and Sheffield have repeatedly denied taking steroids.

“Our clients have adamantly stated they have no evidence of Bonds doing any wrongdoing,” said Troy Ellerman, who represents BALCO vice president James Valente. “There’s no evidence that Bonds did anything, other than rumor and innuendo.”

Valente, Anderson, BALCO founder Victor Conte and track coach Remi Korchemny have pleaded innocent to steroid distribution charges.

Conte’s attorney, Robert Holley, joined Ellerman at a news conference in Sacramento, saying Conte was given permission by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston to attend The Arnold Classic Fitness Expo this weekend in Columbus, Ohio.

He will join California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and about 70,000 other attendees at the expo, which includes strength competitions such as the Hummer tire lift and male and female arm-wrestling.

The annual expo, which will feature an appearance by Schwarzenegger, is a top event for weightlifters and bodybuilders – exactly the clientele Conte targets for his nutritutional supplements.

When asked about Conte’s whereabouts, Holley said: “He is a very powerful and good businessman and he is promoting his ZMA product back at the Arnold Schwarzenegger convention, the same as they have done the last five years.”

Holley was asked whether Schwarzenegger, a seven-time Mr. Olympia who has admitted using steroids during his bodybuilding career, had taken any of Conte’s supplements.

“I don’t know, but I’m sure that we’d be happy to send him a free sample of ZMA,” Holley said.

Schwarzenegger has for years strongly supported the Arnold Classic that bears his name. The governor also attended the Mr. Olympia contest in Las Vegas last October, just 19 days after unseating Gov. Gray Davis in a recall election.

The competition, which begins Friday and runs through Sunday, includes martial arts, gymnastics, fencing and cheerleading as well as strength events.

AP-ES-03-04-04 1944EST