Vikings' star linemen get June trial date for diuretic case

The legal case involving Vikings Pro Bowl defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams should be resolved before the start of training camp.

U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson set a June 15 trial date Tuesday in the case of the Williamses' use of a banned diuretic that resulted in four-game suspensions by the NFL. The Williamses were granted an injunction in mid-December, which enabled them to finish the season and play in the postseason. The suspensions would begin next season, if upheld.

Peter Ginsberg, a New York-based lawyer representing the Williamses, said the judge also denied the NFL's motion to delay discovery proceedings pending an appeal, and will hear motions May 14.

"We're getting closer and closer to Kevin and Pat being able to air their grievances against the NFL and to move forward on their claims for damages," Ginsberg said.

Ginsberg said the Williamses are seeking up to $10 million in damages as well as the overturning of their four-game suspensions.

The Williamses, along with three players from the New Orleans Saints, were suspended after testing positive for the banned diuretic bumetanide, which is contained in the supplement StarCaps and can be used as a masking agent for steroids.

Bumetanide was not listed as an ingredient on the StarCaps label, and the players' union contends that the NFL did not properly inform players.

In a letter included in the filings in their lawsuit, the Williamses admitted they used the diuretic to help them make a prescribed weight. Each has a clause in his contract that calls for a $400,000 bonus for making weight a certain number of times throughout the year, according to the documents.

However, the weight clause states that the players would not engage in any "last-minute weight reduction techniques," which included "use of diuretics."

NFL executive vice president Jeffrey Pash wrote in the filings that "I accept the representations of both players that they did not use steroids."

Both Kevin and Pat Williams said after the season that they are willing to fight the legal battle as long as it takes to clear their names.

"I mean, we're not trying to be suspended, as you can see," Kevin Williams said. "If that's what road they go on, we're going to fight it."

Said Pat Williams: "Yeah, clear my name and stuff, like basically prove to everybody that I was innocent -- prove to the fans, prove to everybody that I was innocent."

Ginsberg said he expects the trial will last about one week.

"There are not many proceedings where somebody aggrieved can get justice this quickly as Judge Magnuson is allowing here," Ginsberg said. "He clearly recognizes, I believe, the wrongs that were done and that parties have a right to get resolutions as quickly as possible."