No Federal Charges for Lance Armstrong

U.S. attorney declines to explain why case was closed

As Lance Armstrong continued to face fallout from doping allegations—this time, being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles — questions still surround a federal investigation that closed without criminal charges being filed. 

U.S. Atty. Andre Birotte Jr.'s office declined to comment on the inquiry on Monday, other than to say the case remains closed. The cycling governing's body announced Monday it would follow a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency recommendation that Armstrong be banned and lose the titles for being involved in the "most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen."

In addition to the USADA inquiry, Armstrong — who has long denied doping allegations — was the focus of a separate two-year probe that was closed earlier this year. The grand jury investigation was confidential, but the media widely reported details about the former teammates and associates who were subpoenaed to testify about banned substances.