WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced April 19 that former professional cyclist Lance Armstrong will pay $5 million after allegations he violated the False Claims Act when he used performance-enhancing drugs and methods (PEDs) while being sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
“No one is above the law,” Chad A. Readler, acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Civil Division, said in a statement. “A competitor who intentionally uses illegal PEDs not only deceives fellow competitors and fans but also sponsors, who help make sporting competitions possible. This settlement demonstrates that those who cheat the government will be held accountable.”
According to the Justice Department, USPS sponsored Lance Armstrong’s cycling team between 1999 and 2004 when he won six consecutive Tour de France races. During that time, Armstrong and his team allegedly used PEDs on a regular basis. Armstrong denied such usage at the time to USPS.
“This settlement resolves allegations that Lance Armstrong violated the terms of his team’s sponsorship by the U.S. Postal Service,” Jessie K. Liu, U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said in a statement. “We will continue to work with our federal partners to protect taxpayer dollars and to ensure that those who do business with the federal government fulfill their contractual obligations.”