Confession may lead to legal woes for Armstrong

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By GREG RISLING

LOS ANGELES (AP) - By admitting to Oprah Winfrey that he doped during his professional cycling career, Lance Armstrong potentially opened himself up to a stream of litigation that could lighten his wallet for years.

And then there's the big question: Will his mea culpa result in the reopening of a criminal investigation by the U.S. government?

Some legal experts believe the disillusionment and anger now directed at Armstrong will force the government to re-examine its evidence in light of his admissions, but others say revisiting the criminal case is unlikely.

"There are no formal guidelines on reopening one, and the discretion is left to the prosecutor," said Matthew Levine, a former federal prosecutor and a white-collar defense attorney in New York. "But generally there's a lot of pressure not to reopen, especially where the declination has been made public. It does happen, but it's quite rare."

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130118/DA3SPKT83.html

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In this July 5, 2004, file photo, US Postal Service team leader Lance Armstrong sits by the registration bus before the second stage of the 91st Tour de France cycling race between Charleroi and Namur, Belgium. Armstrong confessed to using performance-enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France during a taped interview with Oprah Winfrey that aired Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, reversing more than a decade of denial. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

[Nika]

1. Lance who?

It should just be dropped, the ban should remain, and he should be forgotten as well as possible.

That is, if he helps clean up the sport by testifying and exposing aspects, times, places and names involved i this that would help clean up this sport I love so much.

I am sad more than angry. And I will never trust Lance ever again, and don't want to hear about him after all is said and done regarding this black era in cycling.

[truthisfreedom]

2. If the entire sport is corrupt, they might as well just allow doping.

Screw it.

[YOHABLO]

9. I agree .. just let them take as much dope as they want .. pro sports is all about $$$

[Orrex]

3. Probably didn't even really walk on the moon either, the bastard.

[nilram]

10. And he didn't play the trumpet, either, had some old guy faking it for him.

I'm not even going to sell those records, they're going in the trash.

[tabasco]

4. I hope he ends up at a minimum wage job, living paycheck to paycheck

Unprincipled asshole.

[They_Live]

18. I think a jail sentence

after making reparations would be even better.

I live in Austin and have had more than enough of his overinflated ego and his blind followers. I've known he was a bad apple for quite some time.

[They_Live]

19. On second thought

Last edited Sat Jan 19, 2013, 11:27 PM - Edit history (1)

I think you're right tabasco. It's more cruel living paycheck to paycheck with unknown food and energy price inflation.

[msongs]

5. it's not like he illegally invaded Iraq and murder 100,000 civilians nt

[bluestateguy]

6. I just wish this would go away

nt

[McCamy Taylor]

7. His threat to name owners almost ensures more prosecution

since the owners also own the government and the only way to keep him quiet is to threaten him with jail time if he talks.

[ReRe]

8. Armstrong will....

...never compete again. In any sport. Boy, Karma is really kicking ass here lately!

[Raster]

11. it's not like this is just going away... nor should it. It's been reported that for years.....

....there has been a "Cult of Lance," guardians of his vaunted reputation that have made a career out of destroying anyone that would dare suggest that Armstrong was doping. People were sued, people lost jobs, people were threatened, harassed and physically intimidated if they even attempted to dare to tell the truth about Armstrong.

[mcdeavitt]

13. Until the Cheater...

comes out and says he's sorry for the lives he's destroyed, it's all just more self serving bullshit. Greg Lemond is still the only American who has won the the TDF. Lemond had his privacy invaded, his family threatened, his business destroyed and his character impugned. So Fuck you LA!

[leftyohiolib]

12. le tour de farce

[sendero]

14. I certainly hope so.

.... enough already of this narcissistic jackass.

[Mz Pip]

15. He admitted to suing a lot of people

I wouldn't be surprised if he got sued for damages by most of them. I don't think a public "I'm sorry." is going to cut it.

[sofa king]

16. Good thing every potential juror knows about it.

He'll get off on the Ollie North defense.

[former9thward]

17. He won't face any criminal charges.

He testified under oath in 2005 and the statute of limitations has run for a perjury charge. That is why he waited until now to come clean. He may get sued by the people he sued but that is small potatoes for someone with his wealth. The companies that had his endorsement can't sue because they have already received the benefit of his endorsement.