Cycling News: Lance Armstrong and his attorneys have reached a settlement with the US government and Floyd Landis in the False Claims Act lawsuit instead of going to court on May 7th.
"I'm glad to end this case and move on with my life. I look forward to dedicating myself to the many great things in my life - my five children, my wife, my podcast, several exciting writing and film projects, my work as a cancer survivor, and my passion for sports and competition. There's a lot to expect. - Lance Armstrong
Under the terms of the settlement, Armstrong agrees to pay US$1,65 million to the United States government and $XNUMX million to Landis to cover his legal fees and expenses, but according to the agreement, the settlement “is not a liability of either Armstrong nor any concession from the United States or Landis that their respective claims are unfounded.”
Landis filed the "whistleblower" lawsuit under the False Claims Act, which allows citizens to sue individuals for fraud against the government for doping activities that took place on Armstrong's team when it was sponsored by the US Postal Service. Armstrong denied the allegations of doping when Landis filed the lawsuit in 2010, but was later investigated by the US Anti-Doping Agency in 2012 and charged with multiple anti-doping rule violations. He admitted to doping in January 2013.
After his confession, the US government joined the whistleblower process, with lawyers from both sides going back and forth over the details of the case for more than five years.
The agreement is a fraction of what the government may have received from Armstrong under the False Claims Act, which would be three times the amount swindled, about $100 million for sponsorship of the US Postal Service.
By settling the case, Armstrong avoids a public trial where the US government plans to call 50 witnesses to support her case.
"I'm particularly glad to have made peace with the Post. Although I believe their lawsuit against me was unfounded and unfair, since 2013 I have tried to take full responsibility for my mistakes and seek amends wherever possible. I lifted my heart for the Post cycling team and was always particularly proud to wear the red, white and blue eagle on my chest when I compete in the Tour de France. These memories are very real and mean a lot to me. ' Lance Armstrong continued
Armstrong has one year to make payments to the government and Landis and has agreed to post a lien on his Texas property as security. According to the settlement document, Armstrong has confirmed that payments to settle the case will not plunge him into bankruptcy.
This is the third time Armstrong has had to settle a doping lawsuit. In 2013 he paid an undisclosed amount after being sued by the Times, which in 2004 was forced to pay him £300.000 for defamation for publishing doping allegations by journalist David Walsh.