Lance Armstrong May Face Legal Battle in Wake of Doping Admission

by Anthony Caruso on January 18, 2013

Lance Armstrong's repeated and strenuous assertions of innocence against doping allegations were shattered this week when the athlete and cancer survivor admitted to using performance enhancing drugs during an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The cyclist, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and lost several of his endorsements may have made this admission under the false pretense that no additional action could be taken, but this may not be the case. In fact, Armstrong may face legal action if the U.S. Justice Department chooses to reopen its former two-year investigation and prosecute the cyclist. Some analysts say this may be unlikely, however, because the statute of limitations for perjury has run out. Armstrong's last testimony under oath that he did not engage in doping during his cycling career was in 2005. However, others say that the Justice Department may consider a criminal fraud case or take civil action against the former athlete.