AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Lance Armstrong is facing the federal government in a legal fight with tens of millions of dollars at stake.
The cyclist’s best chance at protecting his personal fortune likely rests in convincing a jury the government has already earned plenty from him.
Armstrong is being sued by the Justice Department to recover at least the $40 million the U.S. Postal Service paid to sponsor his team. The government claims Armstrong was “unjustly enriched” by using drugs to win the Tour de France seven times.
Armstrong’s legal team say the contract was worth more than $100 million in worldwide exposure for the agency. Armstrong could still settle the case before going to trial, which likely would not start until 2014. Previous settlement talks broke down earlier this year.
