As Lance Armstrong continued to face fallout from doping allegations -- this time, being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles -- questions still surround a federal investigation that closed without criminal charges being filed.
U.S. Atty. Andre Birotte Jr.'s office declined to comment on the
inquiry on Monday, other than to say the case remains closed. The
cycling governing's body announced Monday it would follow a U.S.
Anti-Doping Agency recommendation that Armstrong be banned and lose the
titles for being involved in the "most sophisticated, professionalized
and successful doping program that sport has ever seen."
In addition to the USADA inquiry, Armstrong -- who has long denied
doping allegations -- was the focus of a separate two-year probe that
was closed earlier this year. The grand jury investigation was
confidential, but the media widely reported details about the former
teammates and associates who were subpoenaed to testify about banned
substances.
When announcing in February that no charges would be filed -- a rare
public statement on the closure of a secret probe -- Birotte praised the
work of investigators but gave no reason for concluding the
investigation without charges.
Armstrong, however, said in a statement that it was the "right decision."
When prosecutors first announced the investigation closed, USADA said
its job was to "protect clean sport rather than enforce specific
criminal laws."
The USADA report released earlier this month said Armstrong and his
teams used steroids, a blood booster and blood transfusions. Statements
from 11 former teammates who testified against Armstrong were included.
A week after the report came out, Armstrong lost several major endorsements deals from companies including Nike and Anheuser-Busch.
source: latimes.com
