US government still trying to recover $1.2million from Lance Armstrong’s former manager Johan Bruyneel
The ex-team manager skipped legal proceedings against him in 2014
The US government is still trying to recover $1.2million from Lance Armstrong’s former manager Johan Bruyneel.
Bruyneel and Armstrong were sued by the US Justice Department for civil fraud in 2013, but Bruyneel has refused to pay according to a report from USA Today.
The US government filed a lawsuit on behalf of the US Postal Service, which sponsored Armstrong’s team from 2000 to 2004, arguing that the Armstrong and Bruyneel had defrauded the sponsor by doping.
Last year, the government reached a $5million (£4million) settlement with Armstrong.
Bruyneel has ignored the lawsuit since 2014, skipping the proceedings and refusing to accept documents from an attorney who was hired by the US to visit Bruyneel at his home in Spain last year.
A $1.2million (£970,000) default judgement was entered against Bruyneel last year, based on an estimated compensation he received through US Postal funds.
In documents filed last month in Washington D.C, the US Government said: “Spanish counsel, using a notary, attempted to personally serve Bruyneel at his residence in San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid, Spain with a copy of the documentation of these proceedings.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“The Spanish Notary was able to confirm that the person answering the door at the residence was Bruyneel, but Bruyneel refused to accept the documents.”
Brunyeel may be ordered to pay the money by a Spanish court, while the US government has offered him one more opportunity to fight the case against him.
The case dates back to 2010 when Armstrong’s former team-mate Floyd Landis filed a complaint as a government whistleblower, which makes him eligible to collect 10 per cent of any money the government collects from Bruyneel.
Landis used his share from the Armstrong settlement to start his own cycling team, Floyd’s Pro Cycling.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
New bikepacking route network opens in Arkansas
The city of Fayetteville, Arkansas in partnership with nonprofit Bikepacking Roots opens five new bikepacking routes, all beginning in Fayetteville, that range from 60-190 miles.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
HUNT 60 Limitless UD Carbon Spoke Aero Disc Wheelset
An impressive all-rounder that's well-suited to wider tyres and a range of riding styles
By Andy Turner Published
-
Bradley Wiggins joins Lance Armstrong for Tour de France podcast
The former Tour de France winner will be appearing on The Move for the next week
By Adam Becket Published
-
Anti-doping investigation reveals riders could still be manipulating the system to avoid detection
Full report from Operación Ilex reveals that lack of overnight and weekend lab testing in Spain makes performance enhancing drugs increasingly difficult to detect
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Lance Armstrong plays astronaut on reality TV show; does he have the right stuff to win?
Lance Armstrong, the disgraced pro cyclist, is one of 12 celebs competing for the title ‘brightest star in the galaxy’ on Fox' Stars on Mars
By Greg Kaplan Published
-
Eight of the best cycling films streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and iPlayer
The best cycling-related films and documentaries available to watch online
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
F1 star Valtteri Bottas spotted out riding with Lance Armstrong
Alfa Romeo driver joined controversial American for Colorado spin on Sunday
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I think doping might actually be more popular': Mixed reviews as Lance Armstrong gets into the NFT game
If there's one thing worth reading this weekend, it's the replies to Lance Armstrong's tweet about acquiring an NFT
By Jonny Long Published
-
'I was almost dead': Jan Ullrich speaks out on his recovery on Lance Armstrong's podcast
The former Tour de France winner spoke about how finding friends in Armstrong and others after re-adopting a healthy lifestyle
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Seven things we learnt from the new Lance Armstrong documentary
The 48-year-old sheds new light on the biggest doping scandal in sporting history, and is as combative as ever
By Jonny Long Published