Armstrong sued for $12 million bonus
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A Dallas promotions company sued Lance Armstrong on Thursday, demanding he repay $12 million in bonuses and fees it paid him for winning the Tour de France.
SCA Promotions had tried in a 2005 legal dispute to prove Armstrong cheated to win before it ultimately settled and paid him.
Armstrong recently acknowledged using performance-enhancing drugs, and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in 2012 detailed a sophisticated doping program by his Armstrong's teams. Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France victories and given a lifetime ban from sports.
Now, the company contends in its lawsuit, Armstrong and agent Bill Stapleton conspired to cheat SCA out of millions. The lawsuit notes that Armstrong repeatedly testified under oath in the 2005 dispute that he did not use steroids, other drugs or blood doping methods to win, all of which he now admits to doing.
"It is time now for Mr. Armstrong to face the consequences of his actions," the lawsuit said. "He admits he doped; he admits he bullied people; he admits he lied."
The lawsuit names Armstrong, Stapleton and Tailwind Sports, Inc., the team's management entity, as defendants.
Tim Herman, an attorney for Armstrong and Stapleton, did not immediately return telephone messages. Herman has previously noted that SCA previously settled its case with Armstrong and said it should not be allowed to reopen the matter.
SCA's lawsuit counters that the case was settled only after Armstrong's lies under oath prevented it from proving he doped.
The lawsuit seeks to recover $9.5 million in bonus money and another $2.5 million paid to Armstrong for other costs and fees.
Separately, USADA chief executive Travis Tygart said Wednesday the agency has been in contact with him Armstrong and is giving him more time to decide if he wants to cooperate with its investigators and tell more about what he knows of doping in cycling.
USADA extended its original Wednesday deadline to Feb. 20 to work out an interview with investigators under oath.
Just two weeks ago, Herman had strongly suggested Armstrong would not be interested in talking with USADA investigators. Tygart said it was Armstrong who asked for more time.
"We understand that he does want to be part of the solution and assist in the effort to clean up the sport of cycling," Tygart said in a statement. "We have agreed to his request for an additional two weeks to work on details to hopefully allow for this to happen."
The agency has said cooperating in its cleanup effort is the only path open to Armstrong if his lifetime ban from sports is to be reduced.
SCA Promotions had tried in a 2005 legal dispute to prove Armstrong cheated to win before it ultimately settled and paid him.
Armstrong recently acknowledged using performance-enhancing drugs, and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in 2012 detailed a sophisticated doping program by his Armstrong's teams. Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France victories and given a lifetime ban from sports.
Now, the company contends in its lawsuit, Armstrong and agent Bill Stapleton conspired to cheat SCA out of millions. The lawsuit notes that Armstrong repeatedly testified under oath in the 2005 dispute that he did not use steroids, other drugs or blood doping methods to win, all of which he now admits to doing.
"It is time now for Mr. Armstrong to face the consequences of his actions," the lawsuit said. "He admits he doped; he admits he bullied people; he admits he lied."
The lawsuit names Armstrong, Stapleton and Tailwind Sports, Inc., the team's management entity, as defendants.
Tim Herman, an attorney for Armstrong and Stapleton, did not immediately return telephone messages. Herman has previously noted that SCA previously settled its case with Armstrong and said it should not be allowed to reopen the matter.
SCA's lawsuit counters that the case was settled only after Armstrong's lies under oath prevented it from proving he doped.
The lawsuit seeks to recover $9.5 million in bonus money and another $2.5 million paid to Armstrong for other costs and fees.
Separately, USADA chief executive Travis Tygart said Wednesday the agency has been in contact with him Armstrong and is giving him more time to decide if he wants to cooperate with its investigators and tell more about what he knows of doping in cycling.
USADA extended its original Wednesday deadline to Feb. 20 to work out an interview with investigators under oath.
Just two weeks ago, Herman had strongly suggested Armstrong would not be interested in talking with USADA investigators. Tygart said it was Armstrong who asked for more time.
"We understand that he does want to be part of the solution and assist in the effort to clean up the sport of cycling," Tygart said in a statement. "We have agreed to his request for an additional two weeks to work on details to hopefully allow for this to happen."
The agency has said cooperating in its cleanup effort is the only path open to Armstrong if his lifetime ban from sports is to be reduced.
whewwweeeeee.....How far the mighty have fallen.Â
 @KKStJohnÂ
Â
Was he really anything other than a mighty big liar?Â
Â
His whole persona was a back-lighting that projected his larger-than-life on the World screen now torn down revealing: Sir Worm. Watch now as he squirms under the light of truth with venom on lips that utter a merciful plea like; Smeagol, Ephaba, and Rumplestiltskin. Parallels only exist in fiction because humankind has never seen a more prefect example of narcissistic psychopathy. Given the opportunity he would deceive again without remorse just to stand on the podium to feel the glory and power and to be the envy of the world. My precious....nasty its stolen, my precious....
Who is fooling who here.. Lance Armstrong has already put all his money in retirement accounts and has made sure his millions are secure... The one thing about Lance is he admits he did it, but pay for it is a totally different story...
This is a man who cares about no one except for himself, and that includes his children and his mother... What a scum bag..
There were many people on this forum and all others who said he was innocent and was being wrongly accused. Â They swore up and down he was being stabbed in the back and that he was some kind of hero. Â Well, where are these loud mouths now? Â Man up and donate some of your money to help your hero out of this mess. Â
One just cannot get away with cheating or lying. Truth will be found out - eventually - and what was once a high and mighty place becomes a low and disgusting place.Â
Note to the younger generation: Don't follow sports celebrities as your heroes. The majority have so many issues locked up, it's only a matter of time before they are found out. Find a better person to look up to.Â
if i were him i'd grow a big beard, gain 50 pounds, and disappear into obscurity. then start a career as a rental clown or something because he won't be able to do much else
 @Phuzz He already IS a clown!
I would like to see Armstrong left with nothing, too. Â But this is America, where you don't have to be responsible for your actions. Â Just blame someone else and get away with it.
It would be fitting if Armstrong, who made every nickel by cheating, was left with nothing. It is bad enough to be a cheater but then attempting to rationalize it by saying everyone else was doing it means he has no honor or integrity. Armstrong may end up getting exactly what he deserves - nothing but the legacy of being one of the most infamous cheaters in sport.
It makes me wonder if Lance regrets talking with Oprah....... would these folks be suing him if he had kept his mouth shut.... I dunno just wondering.
Â
Jay Leno and Charlie Sheen take a bit of a swipe at Lance LOL
Â
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4EkiLh2yQ4
What goes around comes around...I'm glad he is having to pay up for his deception.Â
Heard a survey this morning naming Lance Armstrong the most dislikes athlete in America. He tied with Manti Te'o.
Â
http://www.forbes.com/sites/tomvanriper/2013/02/05/americas-10-most-disliked-athletes/
Â
Mr. I'm Perfect now gets a taste of reality.  Pay up, buddy. $$$$$ Big bucks $$$$$
It was interesting to hear a behavioral expert break down the Armstrong interview with Oprah. Using his body language and facial emotions, she pointed out exactly how he was feeling and expressing anger, hostility, contempt, and defiance while he was admitting the he lied and cheated. No remorse, sorrow, guilt or anything that would indicate he was in any way admitting wrongdoing. Fascinating breakdown. The pursed lips, the furrowed brow, the way he crossed his legs, all indicated that he was furious that he had to admit anything, and that he still thinks he's in the right. I was really trying to stand behind him, but I have to agree that this man is a serious egomaniac with no conscience.
@badcat Type A narcissist sociopath is my guess.
Â
Nasty combo.
Lance danced the tune; now he must pay the piper.Â
Â
There is absolutely no room for sympathy for this guy; he needs counseling and should be on a criminal watch list because he is a huge fraudster and conman. Reminds me of another famous Texan that deceived the entire nation except that one never faced any kind of justice.