Steve Johnson USAC - hello???

[Weapons of @ss Destruction]

Do you think that the CEO of the governing body who holds the licenses for these racers would at least show that he or the organization is taking some interest in proceedings, even if it's only to mumble the usual "We are dedicated to a clean sport, are very concerned about the allegations, and are cooperating in whatever way we can".

Not a peep of a statement in the media from USAC or Johnson in months, unless I've missed it. Very telling about where the loyalties of USAC's stewardship currently sits, although not entirely unexpected with the Weisel connections.

It would be interesting to know the current climate between Tygart at USADA in relation to Johnson.

Hopefully he goes down with the ship within the scope of the overall investigation.

 

[ElChingon]

I think the powers that control them keep them from saying anything, and its not the president of that organization.

 

[VeloCity]

Do you think that the CEO of the governing body who holds the licenses for these racers would at least show that he or the organization is taking some interest in proceedings, even if it's only to mumble the usual "We are dedicated to a clean sport, are very concerned about the allegations, and are cooperating in whatever way we can".

Not a peep of a statement in the media from USAC or Johnson in months, unless I've missed it. Very telling about where the loyalties of USAC's stewardship currently sits, although not entirely unexpected with the Weisel connections.

It would be interesting to know the current climate between Tygart at USADA in relation to Johnson.

Hopefully he goes down with the ship within the scope of the overall investigation.

You mean this Steve Johnson?

http://www.scribd.com/doc/32057485/...ationships-In-The-Lance-Armstrong-Doping-Saga

"Johnson, the widely quoted USA Cycling official, appears to suffer from a serious conflict of interest between his organization's role as a doping cop and his personal, institutional, and financial ties to the diversified business world surrounding Lance Armstrong. Financier Weisel is Armstrong's longtime patron, employer, investment manager, and friend. Weisel is also Johnson's longtime patron and friend and the founder of a nonprofit entity that employs him. And then there's this little fact: Johnson essentially works for Armstrong. In addition to serving as chief operating officer of USA Cycling, Johnson is executive director of the USA Cycling Development Foundation, an affiliated nonprofit organization founded by Weisel, who serves as president of the board of directors, according to the foundation's most recently available IRS returns, filed in 2003. According to the foundation's current Web site, the board of directors now includes Lance Armstrong."

Yeah, don't think we'll be hearing much from him.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

You mean this Steve Johnson?

http://www.scribd.com/doc/32057485/...ationships-In-The-Lance-Armstrong-Doping-Saga

"Johnson, the widely quoted USA Cycling official, appears to suffer from a serious conflict of interest between his organization's role as a doping cop and his personal, institutional, and financial ties to the diversified business world surrounding Lance Armstrong. Financier Weisel is Armstrong's longtime patron, employer, investment manager, and friend. Weisel is also Johnson's longtime patron and friend and the founder of a nonprofit entity that employs him. And then there's this little fact: Johnson essentially works for Armstrong. In addition to serving as chief operating officer of USA Cycling, Johnson is executive director of the USA Cycling Development Foundation, an affiliated nonprofit organization founded by Weisel, who serves as president of the board of directors, according to the foundation's most recently available IRS returns, filed in 2003. According to the foundation's current Web site, the board of directors now includes Lance Armstrong."

Yeah, don't think we'll be hearing much from him.

Or it might be like his comment in 2005 when it was announced that 6 of LA's sample had EPO in them:

"This isn't a 'doping positive,'" Johnson told Reuters on Tuesday by telephone from USA Cycling's headquarters in Colorado Springs.

"This is just a publication in a French tabloid newspaper. That's our perspective.

"To me, this is an issue for the French people. They seemed very concerned about it and frankly I don't care what they think. And I don't think Lance does either."

 

[DirtyWorks]

Do you think that the CEO of the governing body who holds the licenses for these racers would at least show that he or the organization is taking some interest in proceedings, even if it's only to mumble the usual "We are dedicated to a clean sport, are very concerned about the allegations, and are cooperating in whatever way we can".

Not a peep of a statement in the media from USAC or Johnson in months, unless I've missed it. Very telling about where the loyalties of USAC's stewardship currently sits, although not entirely unexpected with the Weisel connections.

It would be interesting to know the current climate between Tygart at USADA in relation to Johnson.

Hopefully he goes down with the ship within the scope of the overall investigation.

A little history on the enormous conflicts of interest: http://www.sfweekly.com/2005-09-07/news/tour-de-farce/full

We're talking about a den of thieves among which there is no honor. Will Johnson rat Weisel out?

The scams previously at USAC have been largely passed onto USACDF.

The USA Cycling Development Foundation Board of Directors

Lance Armstrong - Austin, TX
Matt Barger - San Francisco, CA
Skip Battle - Oakland, CA
Mark Bissell - Grand Rapids, MI
John Bucksbaum - Chicago, IL Looves Livestrong!!!
Michael Brooks - New York, NY

Tench Coxe - Palo Alto, CA
Tench loooves Livestrong too:http://www.livestrong.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Strength/LIVESTRONG-Societies/Ambassadors

Doug Ellis - NYC, NY Garmin Slipstream owner http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/cycling/lance
Robert Emery - San Francisco, CA
Jeff Garvey - Austin, TX
Peter Grauer - New York, NY
Mick Hellman - Kentfield, CA
Russell Hirsch - Palo Alto, CA
Jeff Jacobs - San Diego, CA
Thomas Kempner JR. - New York, NY
Terry Lee - Phoenix, AZ
Ed McCall - Los Angeles, CA http://www.mensjournal.com/the-paddleboarder
Rafael Ortiz - Santa Cruz, CA
Michael Patterson - New York, NY
Rich Silverstein - San Francisco, CA
Herb Thomas - Sun Valley, ID (Funny how Off-road Nationals ended up in Sun Valley...)
Thomas W. Weisel - San Francisco, CA
Priscilla Woods - New York, NY
Tiger Williams - Stamford, CT http://www.esoles.com/news/institutionalinvestor070327.pdf

Bunch of class

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

A little history on the enormous conflicts of interest: http://www.sfweekly.com/2005-09-07/news/tour-de-farce/full

We're talking about a den of thieves among which there is no honor. Will Johnson rat Weisel out?

The scams previously at USAC have been largely passed onto USACDF.

The USA Cycling Development Foundation Board of Directors

Lance Armstrong - Austin, TX
Matt Barger - San Francisco, CA
Skip Battle - Oakland, CA
Mark Bissell - Grand Rapids, MI
John Bucksbaum - Chicago, IL
Michael Brooks - New York, NY
Tench Coxe - Palo Alto, CA
Doug Ellis - NYC, NY
Robert Emery - San Francisco, CA
Jeff Garvey - Austin, TX
Peter Grauer - New York, NY
Mick Hellman - Kentfield, CA
Russell Hirsch - Palo Alto, CA
Jeff Jacobs - San Diego, CA
Thomas Kempner JR. - New York, NY
Terry Lee - Phoenix, AZ
Ed McCall - Los Angeles, CA
Rafael Ortiz - Santa Cruz, CA
Michael Patterson - New York, NY
Rich Silverstein - San Francisco, CA
Herb Thomas - Sun Valley, ID (Funny how Off-road Nationals ended up in Sun Valley...)
Thomas W. Weisel - San Francisco, CA
Priscilla Woods - New York, NY
Tiger Williams - Stamford, CT

Bunch of class

Holy conflict of interest, Batman. How many teams have a dude on the board? These guys could teach Fat Pat a thing or two.

 

[sheenyp]

Does anybody know or recall if USAC made any comment on Landis' positive in 2006?

 

[DirtyWorks]

Graphical Fun

Austin awesomeness:
http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Austin/charlie-jones/37725279.aspx

Bart knaggs:
http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Austin/barton-b-knaggs/35303218.aspx

 

[Oldman]

These ties have been long known and have been fought at several elections. Steve Johnson has long hidden any interest in Armstrong's PED use but did personally reach out to deal with a locally suspended rider in the Northwest.

He made forceful calls to all critical local officials, a promoter and encouraged a mouthpiece to articulate the correct legal position. While this was a well publicized local issue, Mr. Johnson was directly aware as was the UCI.

The local rider's issue? EPO? HGH? It was whether he could participate in a local, non-USA Cycling unsanctioned training series without jeopardizing his ongoing suspension and other riders' license status. Steve and Pat have time for that.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Holy conflict of interest, Batman. How many teams have a dude on the board? These guys could teach Fat Pat a thing or two.

The common denominator is donations. Just pay Weisel enough and you too can be on the board. If you have to ask how much, then this isn't the club for you.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

The common denominator is donations. Just pay Weisel enough and you too can be on the board. If you have to ask how much, then this isn't the club for you.

Handy thing about being on the board as a Weisel appointee is - if you do Cycling a good turn and bring in a sponsor like Jim Ochowitz did you can cream off $60,000 for yourself as a 'finders fee'.

And if you get found out the other board members back you and get rid of the do-gooder who tried to highlight the deceit.

 

[Weapons of @ss Destruction]

Sure, most of the people here are aware of the conflicts of interest, but since Johnson has been staying largely quiet and under the radar it seems like he doesn't get the mention he richly deserves right alongside any mentions of Verbruggen and McQuaid.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Handy thing about being on the board as a Weisel appointee is - if you do Cycling a good turn and bring in a sponsor like Jim Ochowitz did you can cream off $60,000 for yourself as a 'finders fee'.

And if you get found out the other board members back you and get rid of the do-gooder who tried to highlight the deceit.

And there you have it. One more way the federation is used to generate revenue for its officers.

 

[Oldman]

Sure, most of the people here are aware of the conflicts of interest, but since Johnson has been staying largely quiet and under the radar it seems like he doesn't get the mention he richly deserves right alongside any mentions of Verbruggen and McQuaid.

As with Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes, Steve "may already be a winner!" and sung to the GJ, a fact he'd want to keep to himself as long as possible. Weisel and company should be looking for moles.

 

[MarkvW]

antitrust, anyone

I'm having a hard time understanding how USAC can limit pro riders to only riding in sanctioned races. Why isn't this a blatant antitrust violation?

 

[TERMINATOR]

Do you think that the CEO of the governing body who holds the licenses for these racers would at least show that he or the organization is taking some interest in proceedings, even if it's only to mumble the usual "We are dedicated to a clean sport, are very concerned about the allegations, and are cooperating in whatever way we can".

Not a peep of a statement in the media from USAC or Johnson in months, unless I've missed it. Very telling about where the loyalties of USAC's stewardship currently sits, although not entirely unexpected with the Weisel connections.

It would be interesting to know the current climate between Tygart at USADA in relation to Johnson.

Hopefully he goes down with the ship within the scope of the overall investigation.

Steve Johnson is Lance Armstrong and Thom Weisel's bagman.

 

[TERMINATOR]

I'm having a hard time understanding how USAC can limit pro riders to only riding in sanctioned races. Why isn't this a blatant antitrust violation?

It is. That's why Dieter Drake (promoter of Battenkill) was threatening to sue.

 

[TERMINATOR]

The common denominator is donations. Just pay Weisel enough and you too can be on the board. If you have to ask how much, then this isn't the club for you.

That Champion's Club is history. One donor had a big falling out with Lance and if Lance ends up going to jail and loses even 1 or 2 of his Tours, my guess is that club will be history if it isn't already. That whole club was based on finding some idiot sychophant riders who had money to burn just for the opportunity to do a fun ride with Lance.

Now that Lance's reputation is no longer a draw, and his entire career is being called into question, there is not a bright future for this Champion's Club.

 

[DirtyWorks]

I'm having a hard time understanding how USAC can limit pro riders to only riding in sanctioned races. Why isn't this a blatant antitrust violation?

Except USAC has a anti-trust immunity. They aren't special, other sports got it under the same laws.

http://works.bepress.com/daniel_gandert/1/ That should get you started.

Some of the rules are CLEAR violations of law. Like, defining the composition of a team, by age.


USAC/UCI didn't like the fact Dieter was putting on an insanely popular, generally well run event. So, USAC scheduled one of their National series crits against it. The UCI didn't like the fact UCI license holders were racing Battenkill, the leadville 100, Tour of the Gila, etc either.... That had to stop.

 

[jmax22]

Handy thing about being on the board as a Weisel appointee is - if you do Cycling a good turn and bring in a sponsor like Jim Ochowitz did you can cream off $60,000 for yourself as a 'finders fee'.

And if you get found out the other board members back you and get rid of the do-gooder who tried to highlight the deceit.

Well said Dr. It's well documented, or at least widely known amongst the cycling circles, that Gerard got railroaded by Ochowicz and Johnson because he exposed their shady practices. That's the day people stopped taking USA Cycling seriously as a governing body. I mean they basically fired someone for being honest, which I guess is why they settled for a large sum from what I heard. In a normal world, Johnson would have been fired long ago, but he's stacked the board with friends in high places...