US prosecutors drop case against Armstrong/USPS

[Velodude]

From the public's perspective at least, there are still a lot of questions to be answered. I hope they will be.

But it doesn't seem to have been "just because" on the inside. From the Wall Street Journal article:

Before issuing his statement Friday, Mr. Birotte called and laid out his decision to the federal investigators who had produced the evidence that formed the basis for the indictment recommendation, said people familiar with the matter. Those investigators worked on behalf of the Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General.

"In this office in essentially every significant investigation, a prosecution memo is prepared prior to a charging decision to outline the legal theories, the evidence, and the strengths and weaknesses of a particular case. That in fact was done in this case," said Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles. He added that "the prosecution memo was provided to the U.S. attorney and his management team well in advance of the final decision and…was thoroughly reviewed and discussed prior to the decision."

I totally agree with the rest of your statement. Everything suggested charges were recommended and everything was just about ready.

The prosecution memo was provided to the US Attorney and his team well in advance of the final decision.

Well in advance is not days. Not even weeks. I would speculate it is months.

By procedure the US Attorney must make a decision if the investigation is to go forward to a Grand Jury. These recommendations from the prosecutors would form the substance of the prosecution memo to call a Grand Jury.

That initial memo would be updated from time to time as more evidence came to light and changes were made to the indictment count.

BALCO had 42 indictment counts. I would have expected Tailwind to have materially more counts.

 

[Anonymous]

You have no idea as to the quality of the case that was developed. The only solid evidence that has come to light is the testimony of Landis and Hamilton, who are both very soiled goods and easily discredited. I suspect Birotte's decision was made because he did not wish to lose a case against someone who is a hero to nearly everyone outside of this forum. I doubt seriously if he even attempted to get the Grand Jury to return an indictment.

You have no idea as to the quality of the case that was developed

I think we know the case was 'good' to 'very good'. What does "no weakness in the case" mean to you?

The only solid evidence that has come to light is the testimony of Landis and Hamilton, who are both very soiled goods and easily discredited.

... "that has come to light".... interesting. That's not the same as the "only solid evidence", now is it? One thing we do know is there was dissension and anger from at least part of the team doing the investigation. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and speculate that the reason they were angry is because there was solid if not overwhelming evidence to prosecute.

That and, like many of us, the investigators probably don't like watching the guilty go scot-free.

I suspect Birotte's decision was made because he did not wish to lose a case against someone who is a hero to nearly everyone outside of this forum.

Could be.

Could also be that the DOJ and Obama admin didn't want the PR that would have gone along with this case. Could be the corruption that's rampant in our nations capitol. Could be that Lehane and Fabiani know and greased all the right people. Could be they got some help from the legislative side. Could be Birotte has no spine and bowed to pressure from several pay grades above his.

I doubt seriously if he even attempted to get the Grand Jury to return an indictment.

It's very easy to say that now.

 

[BotanyBay]

ESPN legal Lester Munson on the case

Suspicious call on Lance Armstrong

Hmm, perhaps momentum is growing on this.

 

[thehog]

Hmm, perhaps momentum is growing on this.

It’s gone from being “vindicated” and Liggett’s proof of being “clean” to “interesting”.

As long as questions are being asked that is a good thing. Still a long way to go. I think many are scratching their heads trying to work out what went actually went on and how the decision was made. Time will tell, time will tell.

 

[LarryBudMelman]

Hmm, perhaps momentum is growing on this.

And will continue to grow... What is Breuer going to prosecute his own people for leaks?

Then the story gets bigger. I wish ScottSoCal was in a leadership position in the GOP so these slowpokes would get the message.

They actually thought (not Scott) Armstrong was a Republican. When they realize he's not, the GOP will go after the story.

 

[LarryBudMelman]

Guaranteed

It’s gone from being “vindicated” and Liggett’s proof of being “clean” to “interesting”.

As long as questions are being asked that is a good thing. Still a long way to go. I think many are scratching their heads trying to work out what went actually went on and how the decision was made. Time will tell, time will tell.

another 60 Minutes story is in the works right now....

From a legal standpoint 60 Minutes would be unassailable.

These people live for this kind of thing. Unless the pussification has taken hold after they went after Big Tobacco.

If CBS backs down from this, I'd be very frightened.

 

[DirtyWorks]

ESPN legal Lester Munson on the case

Suspicious call on Lance Armstrong

Hey Goober... It looks like your VERY specifc claims summarized as "They had nothing on Armstrong" weren't correct. ESPN's story fits quite nicely with the others.

"The agents included investigators from the Food and Drug Administration, the FBI and the U.S. Postal Service, and they were talking about mail fraud, drug distribution, money laundering and witness tampering."

Where's goober now? You got some 'splainin to do...

 

[LarryBudMelman]

Hey Goober... It looks like your VERY specifc claims summarized as "They had nothing on Armstrong" weren't correct. ESPN's story fits quite nicely with the others.

"The agents included investigators from the Food and Drug Administration, the FBI and the U.S. Postal Service, and they were talking about mail fraud, drug distribution, money laundering and witness tampering."

Where's goober now? You got some 'splainin to do...

He's in Panama City, Florida....

 

[Oldman]

And will continue to grow... What is Breuer going to prosecute his own people for leaks?

Then the story gets bigger. I wish ScottSoCal was in a leadership position in the GOP so these slowpokes would get the message.

They actually thought (not Scott) Armstrong was a Republican. When they realize he's not, the GOP will go after the story.

Not a peep from the "fair and balanced" talking heads. If ESPN and CBS think something isn't right you'd think Fox wouldn't miss an opportunity. Hannity should be beside himself, yet nothing.

 

[DirtyWorks]

They actually thought (not Scott) Armstrong was a Republican. When they realize he's not, the GOP will go after the story.

Probably not. Red Team/Blue Team really doesn't matter if you are trying to accomplish something. They both need money to run election campaigns.

The story might not fit Fox's political audience. They have a very specific theme used throughout their political content and the current version of the story doesn't fit so well because it isn't attached to one of their 'axis of evil' characters they rely upon. Not yet anyway.

 

[Benotti69]

Nearly 150 pages and Armstrong's fans are still trying to obfuscate the story.

I thought y'all won or did you?

 

[LarryBudMelman]

Not a peep from the "fair and balanced" talking heads. If ESPN and CBS think something isn't right you'd think Fox wouldn't miss an opportunity. Hannity should be beside himself, yet nothing.

Not for lack of me trying. I've been on the phone and emailing all of these "people."

Apparently they actually do believe in some of the flag waving, apple pie, patriotic, cancer fighter, mythology Armstrong has cloaked himself in.

Why they can't see he's a Godless Atheist, against the Iraq invasion, pro-choice, Obamacaring, pro hookers and blow, skeezer pleaser, is beyond me.

I guess if I understood Marcus Bachmann, that would help me a great deal...

 

[LarryBudMelman]

Probably not. Red Team/Blue Team really doesn't matter if you are trying to accomplish something. They both need money to run election campaigns.

The story might not fit Fox's political audience. They have a very specific theme used throughout their political content and the current version of the story doesn't fit so well because it isn't attached to one of their 'axis of evil' characters they rely upon. Not yet anyway.

Really? Breuer, Lehane and Fabiani were up to their necks in the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Boxer is barely removed from Pelosi and Holder is directly connected to Clinton.

The GOP are very good at negative campaigning and smearing people.

Also, what is the rush for the GOP? They'll have 60 Minutes do their work for them...

 

[Polish]

I think Munson is part of the problem. 60Mins too.

And if a push came to a shove as to the reasons why the investigation was dropped, we would learn that the Feds were not protecting Lance. They were protecting themselves.

There very well may have been sufficient evidence of a leaky waste of taxpayer money smearjob going on.

 

[DirtyWorks]

ESPN legal Lester Munson on the case

Suspicious call on Lance Armstrong

At the moment, the few comments are about the second half of the story a University that at least accepts public monies paying USD $10 million(!) to move to another conference inside the NCAA.

If the livestrong.org interns don't show up, I'd guess comments would run 10-2. 10 comments about the college story and maybe two comments about cycling. That's a good gauge of the actual interest in competitive cycling in the U.S. That people are commenting on federation machinations tells you just how high the interest is in some college sports.

 

[Anonymous]

Not a peep from the "fair and balanced" talking heads. If ESPN and CBS think something isn't right you'd think Fox wouldn't miss an opportunity. Hannity should be beside himself, yet nothing.

If they can tie the decision to Holder or Obama.... then it's a dog on a piece of meat.

Give it a little time.

 

[Anonymous]

Not for lack of me trying. I've been on the phone and emailing all of these "people."

Apparently they actually do believe in some of the flag waving, apple pie, patriotic, cancer fighter, mythology Armstrong has cloaked himself in.

Why they can't see he's a Godless Atheist, against the Iraq invasion, pro-choice, Obamacaring, pro hookers and blow, skeezer pleaser, is beyond me.

I guess if I understood Marcus Bachmann, that would help me a great deal...

Nice. Well written.

 

[BotanyBay]

ESPN legal Lester Munson on the case

Suspicious call on Lance Armstrong

Any chance that the memo to Birotte falls under the power of the Freedom of Information Act?

 

[ChrisE]

I just saw a commecial folr that new MSNBC sports channel with LA on the bike spinning right after his surgery (the one we have all seen before). And later in the commercial he is beating Kloden in that sprint in 2004 where he chased him down at the end.

Yes, LA is toxic indeed. MSNBC should read the clinic else their sports channel will die a quick death.

 

[Ulle Relaxes]

How is anyone trying to rewrite the past? All that posters here, including me, would like to know is the truth about the past.

A lot of people in this thread would like to see Lance stripped of his TdF wins and his name stripped from the record books. It is that simple.

Anyway enjoy yourselves. I'll be back when the Qui Tam comes to nothing and USADA gives Lance a wristslap and tell you, 'Told you so'.

 

[BotanyBay]

another 60 Minutes story is in the works right now....

From a legal standpoint 60 Minutes would be unassailable.

These people live for this kind of thing. Unless the pussification has taken hold after they went after Big Tobacco.

If CBS backs down from this, I'd be very frightened.

CBS can't back down on this. Because if they did, 48 hours or 20/20 would pick up the ball and it would become a CBS "fumble". And this was no Morley Safer piece. This was "anchor-man". Trust me, the producers at CBS sat around a table on monday and discussed it.

 

[ChrisE]

Probably not. Red Team/Blue Team really doesn't matter if you are trying to accomplish something. They both need money to run election campaigns.

The story might not fit Fox's political audience. They have a very specific theme used throughout their political content and the current version of the story doesn't fit so well because it isn't attached to one of their 'axis of evil' characters they rely upon. Not yet anyway.

Wingnut nation is probably pretty confused about what to do here, which is their normal state but I digress.

You got a black US Atty with a French sounding last name in the Obama administration dropping the investigation while LA gives $100k to Planned Parenthood. I mean this is like throwing a ribeye to a pack of pit bulls.

BUT, it is LA and some "real murkins" like him for beating those Frenchies, and he has a big following regardless of the rumors. They can gain nothing by attacking this IMO.

 

[mewmewmew13]

I just saw a commecial folr that new MSNBC sports channel with LA on the bike spinning right after his surgery (the one we have all seen before). And later in the commercial he is beating Kloden in that sprint in 2004 where he chased him down at the end.

Yes, LA is toxic indeed. MSNBC should read the clinic else their sports channel will die a quick death.

No, their sports channel will do just fine due to good-ol-boys watching their stuff. Business as usual.

Also, why the surprise that the ad they show is just part of their 'keeping the myth alive" to protect their own interests?

So what is your new point about ?

 

[ChrisE]

No, their sports channel will do just fine due to good-ol-boys watching their stuff. Business as usual.

Also, why the surprise that the ad they show is just part of their 'keeping the myth alive" to protect their own interests?

So what is your new point about ?

Hi mewmew. I hope you have been doing well.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Hi mewmew. I hope you have been doing well.

Hi ChrisE.
Yep, doing fine , thank you.

say hey to skandar for me.