International arrest warrant issued against Landis

[Anonymous]

If you made your politics known it wouldn't surprise me a bit.

Ah yes, the drive by comment from someone who has exactly zero idea of WTF he's talking about (again).

Try as you might you just can't keep from embarrassing yourself.

 

[Mellow Velo]

If there is anyone here who can comment competently on international law (at least in the Western world), I'd be interested to know what the legal obligations are for someone summoned to court in another country.

Granted, now he will have a 'free' ticket abroad, but I'm not sure he was under any obligation before to appear in France.

I would doubt that he could appear in any EU country for fear of arrest. All EU members would probably be compelled to enforce the warrant, as if they had issued it. Brussels and all that.

Of course, I could be wrong.

 

[frizzlefry]

Floyd was framed.

 

[yetanothergreenworld]

Check out the comments on the Velonews story. Priceless. Even Carboncrank might have trouble equaling this stupidity:

"I remember when they tried to do this to Lance too...accusing him of hacking into the L'Equipe system or something"

"hmmmmm...in other words, the french judge is mad at floyd for finding out info about his case that the french lab tried to keep secret because it might put them in a negative light or help to prove him innocent. c'est la vie"

"Honesty hate French bashing, BUT.....
seems like the French will leave no "crime" unpunished, unless its the illegal/immoral sales of weapons systems and nuclear technology to a freakin madman in charge of the totalitarian state of Iran by French companies."

"Floyd tried what anyone else would do, find the secret documents that the French try to keep hidden to show that the results they put out on him were flawed. I actually think that it was a creative way to find information that might help you. Go Floyd"

"This should be no surprise, typical French bull. I am not defending Landis, but the track record speaks for itself. They should scrutinize their own teams and riders as much as they do everyone else. The French can't accept the fact they no longer dominated the tour, so it easier to imply that everyone else is guilty of doping, and what ever other crimes they can drum up."

"someone hacked into the labs computer?? makes you wonder how safe any o the results are (positive or neg) and if this was an excuse or plan to discredit another american from yet again winning the tour de FRANCE."

I know! I'm glad I wasn't the only one shocked by this. It makes you wonder what kind of morons they've got reading their site -- people who think that French domination of the Tour only ended in the late 90s, or something.

 

[ravens]

Ah yes, the drive by comment from someone who has exactly zero idea of WTF he's talking about (again).

Try as you might you just can't keep from embarrassing yourself.

That was such a non-sequitur, it took me by surprise, and he has said so much stuff nothing ought to be a surprise anymore.

I think he is dangerously on the verge of a complete 'siht-loss' as we used to say.

'member that little puff of smoke out of the Space shuttle Challengers solid rocket boosters on its last flight as it left the launch pad? I think that post was it.

 

[Bala Verde]

If there is anyone here who can comment competently on international law (at least in the Western world), I'd be interested to know what the legal obligations are for someone summoned to court in another country.

Regardless of Landis' guilt, it seems to be a serious financial burden to be summoned abroad without charges. (Was he actually charged?) Unless charged, I don't think you would have any obligation to travel, find lodging, make arrangements with work, etc.

Granted, now he will have a 'free' ticket abroad, but I'm not sure he was under any obligation before to appear in France.

I think he was supposed to appear in a US court through a 'letter of rogatory' issued by the French, or through the "Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil and Commercial Matters".

(US) Domestic witness subpoenas that require one to cross state lines seem to be reimbursed for their travels, although before issuing extraterritorial subpoenas - due to the higher costs involved - one is advised to pursue alternate routes to obtain the evidence one is seeking. It is not uncommon for individuals to receive some form of judicial assistance (ie assigning a lawyer) who are unable to bear the cost, just to ensure a fair trial. Perhaps that also applies to subpoenas.

See also 28 U.S.C. § 1783 that defines US "Subpoena of person in foreign country"

In any case, as far as the details of the 'case' allow, he just ignored the matter.

 

[Bicicleta]

Couple things:

I wonder when FL found out about this arrest warrant. It was issued on the 28 January and then on Feb 2nd Neil Browne pulished the "I live behind the car wash" interview.

I think if Vaughters speaks - wouldn't he also possibly implicate some of his riders who were w/USPS back in the day: Zabriskie and VandeVelde.

 

[Polish]

This is not the AFLD. It is the French legal system investigating a crime. Boudry has nothing to do with it.

Bordry has nothing to do with it? Nothing? C'mon.
Bordry is at least involved in spreading misinformation:

Earlier Monday, France's anti-doping chief Pierre Bordry had mistakenly described the arrest warrant as international. Granoux stressed that the warrant is only applicable on French soil. It is possible in such cases to issue an international warrant at a later date if needed.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/more/02/15/landis.cycling.ap/index.html?eref=sihpht

 

[Big Ring]

I've asked a friend who is solicitor in england, his take is that Landis now risks arrest in any EU state. If he landed in Spain for instance and a check of his passport shows an outstanding warrant from France the Spanish police will arrest him and inform the French who can then drop it or pursue extradition. Any countries that require a visa will not issue 1 to him on account of this warrant and there is always the possibility that the judge could change it to an international warrant at any time. For instant if Landis was known to be in Switzerland the judge could then issue an international warrant and the Swiss would have to detain him, in short unless Landis sorts this out is will never leave the US again.

 

[the truth.]

was ricco
a, home for christmas?
b, wandering around the Louvre with FL?
c, marching down the Via del Corsa with Valverde?
or d, not enough whereabouts information

i laugh

 

[TheDude]

Funny thread this, how it has been going.
I'm going to agree with raven, at this point I just feel sorry for the guy.
The Velonews responses show why I'm not on that board, and not renewing my subscription, but I do like the pictures.
I think I've decided to believe his Whiskey defense, about the best one he came up with - and certainly better than a vanishing twin, and I've been messed up by whiskey, which in and of itself makes it plausible. Yeah, I'll stikc with believing that one for a day or two.


Poor guy messed up his life. At one point he sure could ride. I'm very sorry he went this way - and whenever you think he hits bottom, somethign new.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Funny thread this, how it has been going.
I'm going to agree with raven, at this point I just feel sorry for the guy.
The Velonews responses show why I'm not on that board, and not renewing my subscription, but I do like the pictures.
I think I've decided to believe his Whiskey defense, about the best one he came up with - and certainly better than a vanishing twin, and I've been messed up by whiskey, which in and of itself makes it plausible. Yeah, I'll stikc with believing that one for a day or two.


Poor guy messed up his life. At one point he sure could ride. I'm very sorry he went this way - and whenever you think he hits bottom, somethign new.

+1 on feeling sorry for Floyd and the Whiskey defense. Certain experiences I have had in life regarding drinking buddies, bar crowds and whiskey would indicate to me that it does increase testosterone levels.

 

[Oldman]

+1 on feeling sorry for Floyd and the Whiskey defense. Certain experiences I have had in life regarding drinking buddies, bar crowds and whiskey would indicate to me that it does increase testosterone levels.

+Another one. It appears he rose fast without a net. I had hopes he could redeem his considerable natural talent but this looks like one obstacle too many. We also can't discount the intent to send certain other US Tour winners a message, one way or the other.

 

[pedaling squares]

OK my reaction was, is Landis still relevent? Does anybody (except him and apparently French authorities) even care what he does? It isn't like he is ever going to make a significant difference again.

I know where you're coming from, but one reason for pursuing these cases is to deter others from committing similar acts. A credible justice system will pursue the unlucky offenders as well as the wealthy ones.

Floyd was framed.

!?!

 

[42x16ss]

I think if Vaughters speaks - wouldn't he also possibly implicate some of his riders who were w/USPS back in the day: Zabriskie and VandeVelde.

IIRC Vaughters left USPS before VdV and Zabriskie joined, so he could always say that "I don't know how it was when THEY were there, but this is how it was when I rode for USPS."

Then again, he may feel that it is too much of a gamble to try it. JV seems to be in a difficult position - he obviously wants to say something, but can't risk two of his best riders.

 

[RTMcFadden]

Flandis a hacker?

Conspiracy perhaps as he likely knows who did hack, but Floyd??

I'd sure like to see the evidence the French Judge is looking at.

That's what I was thinking. He just doesn't have those kind of skills. Anyway, they'd have to tie him to ABs computer, which they can't, without the actual computer. So, it's got to be a bit of a problem with the translation or the reporting. Most likely conspiracy to commit.

 

[Spare Tyre]

That's what I was thinking. He just doesn't have those kind of skills. Anyway, they'd have to tie him to ABs computer, which they can't, without the actual computer. So, it's got to be a bit of a problem with the translation or the reporting. Most likely conspiracy to commit.

Maybe. Or maybe French law doesn't make the distinction between those responsible for commissioning a crime and those who enact it.

 

[ravens]

Maybe. Or maybe French law doesn't make the distinction between those responsible for commissioning a crime and those who enact it.

An element of a conspiracy is to argue that one hand doesn't know what the other is doing. Not sure how it will hold up since AB had no reason to do it other than to benefit Lloyd. Not exactly sure how the laws of my own state/country interpret that, let alone a foreign nation.

 

[Nick777]

How about that Aussie world pursuiter bloke who's been done for sleeping with under-age girls, or is he too low-profile to count?!

I was there when he won that world jr title in Melbourne. He beat Ignatiev, who was the stand out of the junior worlds that year.. I was shocked to read what has happened. Pretty bad...

 

[Race Radio]

That's what I was thinking. He just doesn't have those kind of skills. Anyway, they'd have to tie him to ABs computer, which they can't, without the actual computer. So, it's got to be a bit of a problem with the translation or the reporting. Most likely conspiracy to commit.

It is much easier then you think.

Flandis did not do the hacking. In the court documents, there is a confession from a computer "consultant" that planted and activated a trojan horse program. Then someone from a remote IP address connected via the password-protected trojan horse back door. Once in Arnie looked around the lab's server, took some files and sent a few fake emails. The police investigating determined the IP address to be the same as Arnie Baker's.

Then copies of documents are sent around to the media and they show up in Landis' court case..... with some changed numbers of course.

Once again the evidence is against Landis.

 

[apeurohis]

Landis vs TDF

Well, I guess that Landis won't be vacationing (or racing) in France anytime soon. Some seem to be going after Arnie Baker as culprite(according to French press, anyway). All should note the damage that has been done since that fateful TDF of four years ago: Landis loses 10 minutes one day on the climb then storms back next day, downing a bottle a km on the way to his win. We find out as he is winning that a positive has occured but give Landis the trophy, anyway. Accusation of doping, his team falls apart. Father-in-law kills himself, and soon thereafter wife divorces him. Has TDF title stripped, fights in court, twice, and loses. Comes up with interesting information during 2nd defense at Pepperdine U. though loses as dog fight with Lemond ensues. Landis is now broke, lives on people's couches, and a low-level French court is after him. Definitely not his day. I expect that we will see Landis back in his old job wrenching (in a bike shop)down in San Diego. His career(or what is left of it) is done.

 

[kurtinsc]

It is much easier then you think.

Flandis did not do the hacking. In the court documents, there is a confession from a computer "consultant" that planted and activated a trojan horse program. Then someone from a remote IP address connected via the password-protected trojan horse back door. Once in Arnie looked around the lab's server, took some files and sent a few fake emails. The police investigating determined the IP address to be the same as Arnie Baker's.

Then copies of documents are sent around to the media and they show up in Landis' court case..... with some changed numbers of course.

Once again the evidence is against Landis.

Why haven't they charged him with it then?

If I understand this right... he's charged with not showing up for a subpoena... from another country. They wanted to question him... not charge him.

I'd like to hear more about the circumstances behind that. From what I've read... the guy is pretty much broke. Is this really a case of "Landis blew the French off"... or is it "Landis was not capable of complying due to finances".

If it's the former... then he's getting what he deserves. If it's the later... I'd say the French are "witch hunting" him a bit to keep him from coming back to their country.

I just keep thinking... if I was subpoenaed to a French court I don't think I'd have any way of realistically complying without some serious financial assistance... and it sounds like I'm doing quite a bit better then Floyd is right now.

 

[Race Radio]

Why haven't they charged him with it then?

If I understand this right... he's charged with not showing up for a subpoena... from another country. They wanted to question him... not charge him.

I'd like to hear more about the circumstances behind that. From what I've read... the guy is pretty much broke. Is this really a case of "Landis blew the French off"... or is it "Landis was not capable of complying due to finances".

If it's the former... then he's getting what he deserves. If it's the later... I'd say the French are "witch hunting" him a bit to keep him from coming back to their country.

I just keep thinking... if I was subpoenaed to a French court I don't think I'd have any way of realistically complying without some serious financial assistance... and it sounds like I'm doing quite a bit better then Floyd is right now.

The arrest warrant is for hacking. Landis and Baker supposedly paid the hacker. Arnie actually accessed the network from his house. Can you image the outcry if the French tried him "in absentia"?

A flight from San Diego to Paris cost $700 right now. I will buy him one with the thousands of airlines miles I have and he can stay with an old teammate of mine who lives in Paris. Landis has avoided France not because he poor, but because he is guilty.

Can you imagine if Tony Parker hired somebody to hack the NBA's network in order to avoid a sanction? America would go nuts. Would we call it a wichhunt?

It is very simple, it is not OK to hack a companies network. It is not OK in the US why should it be in France?

 

[BroDeal]

I just keep thinking... if I was subpoenaed to a French court I don't think I'd have any way of realistically complying without some serious financial assistance... and it sounds like I'm doing quite a bit better then Floyd is right now.

Evidently you are too stupid to pick up the phone (or even use e-mail), contact the French authorities and work out a way to resolve the situation. Tehre is a right to remain silent in France. Landis could have refused to answer questions. Problem solved...unless Baker implicates Landis.

 

[S2Sturges]

The dude is screwed. He should have dealt with this when the issue first surfaced. He could blame it on that idiot Arnie Baker.

FLandis' best bet is to come clean so he does not have to live under a cloud the rest of his life. He should describe the doping program at Postal in complete detail. The firestorm over Postal and Armstrong will deflect a lot of blame from himself.

Have to say I agree with this one... Landis has only dug a deeper dung hole for himself.. He should just sit down, on the record and say, look, I stuffed up, this is how it all went... but the house of cards it would bring down would mostly likely re enforced by bricks before that, if it already hasn't.. esp if the guy with the initials of LA is within it's walls. It is the right thing to do, but it'll never happen.. the resulting lawsuits would tie up the courts for years......