US prosecutors drop case against Armstrong/USPS

[Maxiton]

Sounds more like the failure of a Federal Prosecutor who has no balls or perhaps corrupt or both.

Either way, Birotte, Jr is now part of the problem.

Bingo. On all counts.

I don’t think those who pontificate in the in clinic have anything to do with it.

Witnesses tampering is rather scary. Thats not crimes of doping thats federal and fundamental to democracy.

Armstrong dodged a massive bullet. Well done to him to side step this one. He just skipped jail time. Kudos to the fellow.

Although this is interesting it doesn't amount to much. He's still a free man.

Maybe so. But if these investigators from various federal agencies really are aware of a strong and damning case against LA, and if they truly are livid about its unilateral shutdown just before indictments are drawn up, then I imagine they have some kind of recourse and will use it. I can't believe the system would or can permit what appears to all the world to be overt corruption, and a strong suspect in a long list of crimes to just walk away scott free.

(By the way, Scott Free is the name of Mister Miracle's alter ego - see the comic about the super escape artist I posted here a few days ago.)

 

[thehog]

Hey, what happened to all the people telling me I am a fool?


Sometimes the cover-up is worse then the crime. This isn't over, not even close

If anything can someone indict Liggett for crimes against commentary?

 

[B_Ugli]

Its not what you know its who you know!

 

[frenchfry]

It's beginning to look like André Birotte is just another cheese-eating surrender monkey.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

I don´t know how it is in the USA. In germany everybody has the right to make a objection if the state attorney closes a case. Plus it seems there are crimes done by Birotte. Again in germany everybody could bring a charge against Birotte and persons unknown if getting to know about crime offences.

So if USA is at least a little bit like german law, go ahead guys. It´s your chance. If you really want to bring them down, your action is needed.

 

[Anonymous]

Hey, what happened to all the people telling me I am a fool?


Sometimes the cover-up is worse then the crime. This isn't over, not even close

They are still here.... see 'em? They are the one's with the weird look on their face.

 

[joeyrobbo]

These guys wouldn't stand for this cover up sh**!

 

[thehog]

Wouldnt the thing with Hamilton be witness tampering. Look at what this former federal prosecutor has to say on the whole incident with Hamilton and also the witness tampering issue:

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/8...about-possible-witness-tampering-charges.aspx

The Hamilton incident was nothing. It’s the SCA trial and the payoffs that are much more compelling. Who knows who else was pressured unbeknown to ourselves.

I still think not much will happen but the leaks will “hurt”.

 

[Polish]

Betsy Andreu looks to be right when she says it is a failure in the American justice system.

Agree with Betsy on the fail.
And it you add in the Bonds case and the Clemens case, I would go even further and say massive fail.

I can understand why many involved in the 22 month investigation are angry. Their bosses are probably even more angry yikes.

Interesting that the source who told CN that there was "overwhelming evidence" was un-named. Same old Leakage. SLDD.

But there is a name attached to the quote "insufficent evidence". Go figure.

 

[thehog]

WADA ups the pressure: http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/wada-urges-feds-hand-armstrong-info-15527906

 

[pmcg76]

Hey, what happened to all the people telling me I am a fool?


Sometimes the cover-up is worse then the crime. This isn't over, not even close

While I would like to see you proven correct, one poster suggested way back in this thread that it will be Michael Ball, Rock Racing and mostly domestic based riders that will bear the brunt of this investigation and that Armstrong was not the focus and nothing will happen to him even if the case continues with USADA.

The poster, Goober I think his name was did seem to have an inside track and seems to have connections with guys like Hincapie and other US riders etc judging by previous posts. I think Armtrong could conceivably skate again even though the investigation seems to have him as the prime target. Whilst I hope this is not the case, I fear this is what will happen. A load of US based rides busted whilst the big names get of again.

 

[LarryBudMelman]

Hey, what happened to all the people telling me I am a fool?


Sometimes the cover-up is worse then the crime. This isn't over, not even close

You ain't kidding. I called a few different offices in the Criminal Division in D.C. The Organized Crime section gave me the number for Los Angeles, (213) 894 2434.

Effing disgrace this is.

 

[Boeing]

They are still here.... see 'em? They are the one's with the weird look on their face.

Ohh Scott was hoping the news today would give you the opportunity to slam NPR.

 

[Race Radio]

You guys should have got your shots in when you had a chance. Too late

It will be come increasingly clear that the case was dropped despite overwhelming evidence of guilt. I expect that this story will continue to develop with even more media outlets explore not only why ONE man chose to ignore a mountain of evidence and let a bunch of crooks off the hook but the pressure put on him to do so.

While the rats are scrambling to cover their tracks I expect the full story of how they achieved this to be exposed. Sometimes the cover-up is worse then the crime

Of course there is still the Qui Tam case. The risk for Armstrong, and his friends, is huge. Those type of cases are usually kept secret until trial.....but oh what a trial that will be. I can understand why Wonderboy is selling the jet, settling is the smartest move

Of course the USADA case is going forward, full steam, guns blazing.

Over? nope

 

[frenchfry]

You guys should have got your shots in when you had a chance. Too late

It will be come increasingly clear that the case was dropped despite overwhelming evidence of guilt. I expect that this story will continue to develop with even more media outlets explore not only why ONE man chose to ignore a mountain of evidence and let a bunch of crooks off the hook.

While the rats are scrambling to cover their tracks I expect the full story of how they achieved this to be exposed.

Of course there is still the Qui Tam case. The risk for Armstrong, and his friends, is huge. Those type of cases are usually kept secret until trial.....but oh what a trial that will be. I can understand why Wonderboy is selling the jet, settling is the smartest move

Of course the USADA case is going forward, full steam, guns blazing.

Over? nope

I don't want to put a crimp in your enthusiasm, but don't you think you are overreacting to news stories that simply say the investigation was stopped without reasons being given?

I am thinking once burned, twice shy.

However, IF it is found out that there was dirty business going in regards to the Birotte pirouette, this could get interesting again.

 

[BillytheKid]

...an unnamed source...shocking

 

[Race Radio]

I don't want to put a crimp in your enthusiasm, but don't you think you are overreacting to news stories that simply say the investigation was stopped without reasons being given?

I am thinking once burned, twice shy.

However, IF it is found out that there was dirty business going in regards to the Birotte pirouette, this could get interesting again.

I expect it to get interesting again....

 

[LarryBudMelman]

You guys should have got your shots in when you had a chance. Too late

It will be come increasingly clear that the case was dropped despite overwhelming evidence of guilt. I expect that this story will continue to develop with even more media outlets explore not only why ONE man chose to ignore a mountain of evidence and let a bunch of crooks off the hook but the pressure put on him to do so.

While the rats are scrambling to cover their tracks I expect the full story of how they achieved this to be exposed. Sometimes the cover-up is worse then the crime

Of course there is still the Qui Tam case. The risk for Armstrong, and his friends, is huge. Those type of cases are usually kept secret until trial.....but oh what a trial that will be. I can understand why Wonderboy is selling the jet, settling is the smartest move

Of course the USADA case is going forward, full steam, guns blazing.

Over? nope

You'd think this would be catnip for CBS, the WSJ, Daily News, and Sports Illustrated.

I would think the WSJ would have a field day connecting all these Clintonites to Obama and his justice dept. although I think conservatives, with a few exceptions like Scott, have been very critical of the investigation.

If they were politically astute at all they'd do a 180 and start hammering the corruption angle in the Obama Department of Justice. They could nail Boxer, Breuer and Obama on this. I think I may call my parents Rep. Peter King and put some ideas in that idiot's head.

 

[Race Radio]

You'd think this would be catnip for CBS, the WSJ, Daily News, and Sports Illustrated.

I would think the WSJ would have a field day connecting all these Clintonites to Obama and his justice dept. although I think conservatives, with a few exceptions like Scott, have been very critical of the investigation.

If they were politically astute at all they'd do a 180 and start hammering the corruption angle in the Obama Department of Justice. They could nail Boxer, Breuer and Obama on this. I think I may call my parents Rep. Peter King and put some ideas in that idiot's head.

Hummm, you may be on to something here

 

[DirtyWorks]

... I can't believe the system would or can permit what appears to all the world to be overt corruption, and a strong suspect in a long list of crimes to just walk away scott free.

Why not?

From Wonderboy's side, money/power talks. The head of a law enforcement department didn't get there by doing a good job. They got there because they wanted the status/power/influence. So Fabiani whispers in the appropriate people's ear some combination of things that would better their career, or if that doesn't work, things that could end their career. Nothing illegal about it.

From the investigators side, they don't work in a Democratic institution. Just the opposite, it's top-down power and control. Your superior says it ends, well then that's it. And if the investigator doesn't like it, well then they are free to work somewhere else where they will be happier.

Externally, it stinks. Internal to whatever system the investigator works, it just is. I'm not sure what the solution to this problem is.

 

[The Plediadian]

You'd think this would be catnip for CBS, the WSJ, Daily News, and Sports Illustrated.

I would think the WSJ would have a field day connecting all these Clintonites to Obama and his justice dept. although I think conservatives, with a few exceptions like Scott, have been very critical of the investigation.

If they were politically astute at all they'd do a 180 and start hammering the corruption angle in the Obama Department of Justice. They could nail Boxer, Breuer and Obama on this. I think I may call my parents Rep. Peter King and put some ideas in that idiot's head.

This sounds so much like FOX news, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, or the Tea Party.
I do not think even the radical right who want to Lop off Barbara Boxers head, would even want to touch a sporting fraud controversy.
I think in the USA sports heroes are saints to the public.

 

[Race Radio]

This sounds so much like FOX news, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, or the Tea Party.
I do not think even the radical right who want to Lop off Barbara Boxers head, would even want to touch a sporting fraud controversy.
I think in the USA sports heroes are saints to the public.

Not a sporting fraud controversy....but a rich, famous person getting special treatment because of political connections.

Yeah, nobody cares about that stuff.

 

[Anonymous]

Why not?

From Wonderboy's side, money/power talks. So Fabiani whispers in the appropriate people's ear some combination of things that would extend their career, or if that doesn't work, things that could end their career. The Chiefs are still serving others, right? That's part of how they got their Chief status. Nothing illegal about it.

From the investigators side, they don't work in a Democratic institution. Just the opposite, it's top-down power and control. Your superior says it ends, well then that's it. And if the investigator doesn't like it, well then they are free to work somewhere else where they will be happier.

Externally, it stinks. Internal to whatever system the investigator works, it just is. I'm not sure what the solution to this problem is.

Nailed it.

Fabiani knows everybody making the decisions. They know they will likely be working with or for him at some point in the future. Why rock the boat over something that will likely be unpopular anyways?

This thing stinks. I won't be too surprised when Birotte Jr get quietly thrown under the bus only to later work as a Jr partner for.... oh, I dunno, Fabiani's firm?

 

[LarryBudMelman]

I expect it to get interesting again....

I'm calling the Conservatives, Marco Rubio, Allen West, regarding corruption in Obama's Dept of Justice. They're eating it up...

 

[Anonymous]

This sounds so much like FOX news, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, or the Tea Party.
I do not think even the radical right who want to Lop off Barbara Boxers head, would even want to touch a sporting fraud controversy.
I think in the USA sports heroes are saints to the public.

The right wing would take Boxers head at any opportunity (metaphorically).

Trust me on that.