• Cycling

Armstrong 'will escape perjury charge'

ESPN staff
January 22, 2013

Lance Armstrong is unlikely to face perjury charges following his public admission to doping for each of his seven Tour de France victories, according to a lawyer who questioned the disgraced cyclist under oath in 2005.

Jeff Tillotson cross-examined Armstrong while representing SCA Promotions after the insurance firm refused to pay out the Texan's bonuses from sponsor Tailwind Sports on the basis that he was suspected of doping.

SCA, who lost the case seven years ago, are now suing Armstrong for $12 million as the 41-year-old's confession in a television interview with Oprah Winfrey opens the door to a host of legal action.

But Armstrong is unlikely to face charges for lying under oath, given the length of time that has passed since his testimony.

"Within the first minute of his interview with Oprah Winfrey he said yes to a series of questions regarding his use of performance-enhancing drugs that he had answered no to me, under oath, in giving sworn testimony," Tillotson said.

"For us it was a very quick acknowledgement by Mr Armstrong that not only had he been lying to the public for years, but that he had lied directly and purposely to us under oath.

"The statute of limitations for Mr Armstrong to be prosecuted criminally for perjury in Texas for what he said in our case has probably run. It's probably too old a crime."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close