Lance Armstrong is disputing a demand that he pay back more than $32 million the government alleges he took from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The government claims the contract between Armstrong and USPS was predicated on a “contractual promise to play fair and abide by the rules — including the rules against doping,” according to U.S. attorney Ronald Machen Jr., and that Armstrong broke that promise by using performance enhancing drugs.
Armstrong fought back by saying the government failed to show he had a hand in the 42 invoices which the government claims makes up over $32 million in total sponsorship payments made by the USPS to Armstrong. Armstrong claims the evidence is “crystal clear” that he had no role in submitting the invoices to the government or in receiving payments from the government, and therefore is not liable to pay back the funds requested.
Armstrong’s well-publicized use of performance enhancing drugs helped him win seven Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005. The government claims by his admission to doping during that period, he did not give USPS what they bargained for or paid for in their contract with Armstrong. While settlement discussions between are under way, the two sides are reportedly tens of millions of dollars apart.