Lance Armstrong ordered to testify under oath

By: 10 years ago

In this July 29, 2007 file photo, Lance Armstrong, seated into a car of the Discovery Channel cycling team, right, jokes with teammate George Hincapie during the 20th and last stage of the 94th Tour de France cycling race between Marcoussis, southwest of Paris, and Paris. Hincapie was the “Loyal Lieutenant” who helped Lance Armstrong to seven Tour de France titles, only to later provide the key testimony that brought his downfall. Now, Hincapie is peeling back the shroud that has long covered the dark era of doping in cycling in a book due out next month that is part memoir, part mea culpa. AP

AUSTIN, Texas—Lance Armstrong has been ordered to give sworn videotaped testimony next month about using performance-enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France seven times.

Armstrong has been sued by a Texas company seeking the return of about $12 million in performance bonuses. An arbitration panel has issued subpoenas for testimony from Armstrong on June 12 and his longtime business manager Bill Stapleton on June 9.

The cyclist has asked the Texas Supreme Court to intervene. He says a previous settlement with SCA Promotions is binding and cannot be reopened.

Armstrong’s attorneys noted the subpoenas in a request for the Supreme Court to rule quickly.

Armstrong provided written sworn testimony last year in an unrelated lawsuit, and for the first time provided names of those he says assisted in his doping.