Jan. 18 (Bloomberg) -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation will review allegations that Major League Baseball All-Star Miguel Tejada lied to congressional investigators when he denied using steroids.

``The Department of Justice has referred the Miguel Tejada matter to the FBI and a preliminary inquiry will be conducted,'' FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said yesterday.

A former American League Most Valuable Player now with the Houston Astros, Tejada said during an August 2005 interview with congressional investigators that he never took the drugs. A House committee earlier this week asked Attorney General Michael Mukasey to investigate Tejada's statements after a report by former Senator George Mitchell linked him to steroids.

Tejada was among the more than 80 players named in Mitchell's report, which chronicled widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs in the sport. The Baltimore Orioles traded the shortstop to the Astros last month, a day before the report was released.

Fernando Cuza, Tejada's agent, didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.

The FBI's preliminary inquiry will be conducted by the bureau's Washington field office. In these reviews, agents look at the facts of a case and, along with prosecutors, determine whether a criminal investigation should be opened.

Palmeiro Teammate

Tejada was interviewed by investigators from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform when the panel probed whether his Orioles teammate, Rafael Palmeiro, lied about never taking steroids. Palmeiro testified in March 2005 that he never took the drugs, and five months later he was suspended for using the performance-enhancing substance.

Congress opted not to charge Palmeiro with perjury because of insufficient evidence. Palmeiro said steroids may have entered his system through vitamin B-12 shots he got from Tejada.

In the Mitchell report, Adam Piatt said he sold steroids and human growth hormone to Tejada in 2003 when both played for the Oakland Athletics. Piatt produced two checks from Tejada in the amounts of $3,100 and $3,200.

Kirk Radomski, a former New York Mets clubhouse worker who is facing sentencing for selling steroids, said Piatt told him he wanted drugs for Tejada, according to the report.

To contact the reporters on this story: Robert Schmidt in Washington at rschmidt5@bloomberg.net; Danielle Sessa in New York at dsessa@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: January 18, 2008 01:33 EST