[Roker]

Prosecutors Step Up Armstrong Probe
Investigators Subpoena Documents and a Witness in Bid to Prove the Tour de France Champion Used Banned Substances
JULY 27, 2010
By REED ALBERGOTTI And VANESSA O'CONNELL

Federal prosecutors handling an investigation into cheating in professional cycling have subpoenaed documents from an arbitration case that sought to prove that Lance Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs.

The documents contain depositions from former teammates and associates of the seven-time Tour de France champion during a period when a promotions company was trying to prove that Mr. Armstrong employed banned drugs and practices—known as doping—during his cycling career.

Jeffrey Tillotson, the attorney who represented the company, SCA Promotions Inc., in the arbitration hearings, said it received a subpoena for the records on July 16. He is preparing to send the files to the federal prosecutors in Los Angeles who are handling the investigation, he said.

Mr. Armstrong has repeatedly denied doping allegations and has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

Using performing-enhancing techniques in sports is generally not against the law in the U.S. But federal prosecutors could make the case that Mr. Armstrong defrauded investors by accepting sponsorship dollars with the understanding that he would not use the drugs, if they prove that he doped.

The lead investigator in the U.S. criminal probe, special agent Jeff Novitzky of the Food and Drug Administration, declined to comment. Two assistant U.S. attorneys in Los Angeles assigned to the case didn't return messages seeking comment.

The government's investigation into doping in cycling was sparked by allegations made this spring by former cyclist Floyd Landis.

In April, Mr. Landis sent a series of emails to cycling officials claiming there had been widespread doping in the sport and accusing several other riders of doping, including Mr. Armstrong, his former teammate on the U.S. Postal Service team

....

There is no testimony from eyewitnesses who say they saw Mr. Armstrong's alleged doping. It contains 2006 sworn testimony by Stephen Swart, a former Armstrong teammate who said that while he was on a bike ride with him in March 1995, Mr. Armstrong made clear he planned to take EPO, a banned drug that boosts the number of red blood cells.

In testimony, Mr. Swart said he was left with the impression "that for us to be competitive at the Tour that year, that we needed to start a medical program of EPO."

In testimony, Mr. Armstrong has said that the conversation with Mr. Swart never happened, and he said, "I have no idea" why Mr. Swart would say that.

The file also includes testimony by Frankie Andreu, another former teammate, and Mr. Andreu's wife, Betsy. The two testified that they overheard Mr. Armstrong acknowledge his history of performance-enhancing drug use to doctors during a 1996 Indiana hospital visit.

In testimony, Mr. Armstrong said he did not know why Ms. Andreu would say what she said, "other than she hates me."

When asked why Mr. Andreu would testify to the same thing, Mr. Armstrong said "well, I think he's trying to back up his old lady." Mr. Armstrong has also been accused by Mr. Landis of employing another banned technique in which riders transfuse their blood during long races, also to replenish red blood cells.

Mr. Armstrong has never been sanctioned for failing a drug test.

Rest of story: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...145915552.html

[incimisiche]

No sworn testimonies from eyewitnesses? Two sour teammates and a wife making accusations?

No comment until they actually "prove" Armstrong doped.

[POMAH_K]

I haven't read it, but I just wanted to say that I immediately thought "Federer" in the title, and my mind went to a very dark place.

[SiM7W2zi]

I haven't read it, but I just wanted to say that I immediately thought "Federer" in the title, and my mind went to a very dark place.

LOL

[12Dvop4I]

I haven't read it, but I just wanted to say that I immediately thought "Federer" in the title, and my mind went to a very dark place.

[metropropuskruww]

This is beginning to remind me of the Marion Jones case where she kept denying "doping" but eventually admitted this. Now, if this is proved to be true, Lance will be one embarassed person.

[vipluka]

I haven't read it, but I just wanted to say that I immediately thought "Federer" in the title, and my mind went to a very dark place.

I didn't think of Federer but I did think it sounded like a bad porno.

[Roker]

For the longest time, I believed that the rumors were wrong and Lance was tainted because there seems to be so much doping in cycling. And Landis has no credibility IMO at all.

But it just seems like as time goes on, more and more comes out about Armstrong. And I hate to admit it, but I think there is something to the allegations.

[tweriaroats]

The Tour de France is an inhuman event. It is simply mind boggling. 3,600 Kms (2,250 miles) in 20 days. Some mountain stages are completely uphill. All this going full tilt because you are being chased or chasing a whole bunch of other men. I know they are superior athletes, but this is so extreme that I wonder if any of the riders are not juiced.

[CxofxJFm]

I would be shocked if he didn't dope... It's not possible to do it without.

[Slchtjgb]

I would be shocked if he didn't dope... It's not possible to do it without.

Wow, that's totally baseless.

[CxofxJFm]

Wow, that's totally baseless.

I call it not hiding my head in the sand

Armstrong being a doper is one of the worst kept secrets in pro-cycling... I hope they manage to prove it one day.

[Uvgsgssu]

I always give people the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. Plus, so many of these affidavits surround lawsuits, and therefore, you have to question their motives.

In the case of Andreu and his wife, the doctor he supposedly admitted steroid use to says he never said it, and allegedly there were others in the room who also say Andreu and his wife are wrong. Lance was in Indiana for treatment of his cancer, and after the initial surgery in Texas, they did in fact give him steroids and EPO to counteract the chemotherapy.

But, I will admit when it comes from so many sources, you can't help but wonder about it.

[SusanSazzios]

If it quacks like a duck...

[incimisiche]

If it quacks like a duck...

My daughter quacks like a duck........and moos like a cow, and oinks like a pig....

Guess that makes her some kind of farm animal!

[Roker]

SI has a big story coming next week, with a lot of information obtained from a sitting grand jury in San Francisco investigating Lance's possible connection to "an organized doping operation". There are a number of serious allegations being reported by SI, all denied by Lance and his people.

The details of the coming story, including specific allegations:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...ong/index.html

[MilenaJaf]

Using performing-enhancing techniques in sports is generally not against the law in the U.S. But federal prosecutors could make the case that Mr. Armstrong defrauded investors by accepting sponsorship dollars with the understanding that he would not use the drugs, if they prove that he doped. So our tax dollars are being spent to investigate something that isn't actually against any federal law but simply might have possibly defrauded corporate sponsors? Really?

Excuse me while I go throw up.

[Roker]

So our tax dollars are being spent to investigate something that isn't actually against any federal law but simply might have possibly defrauded corporate sponsors? Really?

Excuse me while I go throw up.

Usually in a case like this, they carefully gather all the info they can, then serve the target a grand jury subpeona. If Armstrong says he will take the 5th, the prosecutors would offer immunity, figuring they will 1) get the info they want that way, or 2) catch him in a cover up, and then indict him for perjury.

If the prosecutors have a hard on for Lance, they will find a way to charge him. Or they simply could be after a supply chain, or Baxter Intl (or a BALCO-like operation), and want to get at them through Armstrong.

[MilenaJaf]

Usually in a case like this, they carefully gather all the info they can, then serve the target a grand jury subpeona. If Armstrong says he will take the 5th, the prosecutors would offer immunity, figuring they will 1) get the info they want that way, or 2) catch him in a cover up, and then indict him for perjury.

If the prosecutors have a hard on for Lance, they will find a way to charge him. Or they simply could be after a supply chain, or Baxter Intl (or a BALCO-like operation), and want to get at them through Armstrong.

I'll take you at your word.

Doesn't make it any less disgusting, though.

It's a waste of our money and for what?

Doping in sports, no matter how we feel about it in relationship to the sport, isn't against federal law. Federal prosecutors needn't be bothered.

I wonder what the Tea Party thinks about this kind of government spending?

[SusanSazzios]

So our tax dollars are being spent to investigate something that isn't actually against any federal law but simply might have possibly defrauded corporate sponsors? Really?

Excuse me while I go throw up.

Thank you.

Isn't there enough criminal behavior that actually falls under the Fed's jurisdiction that they could... oh, I don't know... spend their resources on?