In an official statement the US Department of Justice has corroborated intelligence that it has decided to take legal actions against Lance Armstrong and others, stating that it has reason to believe that fraud may have been perpetrated. 

“The Postal Service contract with Tailwind required the team to enter cycling races, wear the Postal Service logo, and follow the rules banning performance enhancing substances – rules that Lance Armstrong has now admitted he violated,” stated Stuart F. Delery, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice, in a statement issued by the Department on its official website. “Today’s action demonstrates the Department of Justice’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding federal funds and making sure that contractors live up to their promises.”

Yesterday the US government confirmed to the court that it will join the lawsuit against Armstrong, former USPS team manager Johan Bruyneel and Tailwind Sports, the owners of the team. Its official charge will be put on record within sixty days. 

If found guilty of swindling the US government, Armstrong and the others could face a legal penalty three times the worth of the original sponsorship arrangement that was laid out between 1999 and 2004. Ronald C. Machen Jr., U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, elaborated on the details of the case. 

“Lance Armstrong and his cycling team took more than $30 million from the U.S. Postal Service based on their contractual promise to play fair and abide by the rules – including the rules against doping,” he said.