Armstrong Aide: I Saw Banned Substance
By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer
Published March 31, 2005, 2:13 PM CST
AUSTIN, Texas -- A former personal assistant to Lance Armstrong filed
court papers Thursday alleging that he discovered a banned substance in
the six-time Tour de France winner's apartment early last year.
Mike Anderson, who is involved in a legal fight with Armstrong over
alleged promises the cyclist made to help Anderson start a bike shop,
made the claim in a brief filed in state district court. The brief does
not say whether Anderson saw Armstrong take any banned substances.
Armstrong, who has won a record six consecutive Tours, has maintained
that he is drug-free. The cancer survivor frequently notes he is one of
the most drug-tested athletes in the world.
A representative for Armstrong referred all questions to the cyclist's
attorney, Timothy Herman, who declined immediate comment because he
hasn't seen the brief. Armstrong is in Europe, where he finished 24th
at the Paris-Camembert race Tuesday.
Anderson, who says he had a key to Armstrong's apartment in Girona,
Spain, alleges he was cleaning the bathroom in "early 2004" when he
found a white box labeled "like any other prescription drug" but that
did not have a doctor's prescription attached.
Written on the box was the trademark name "Androstenine, or something
very close to this," Anderson said.
"He went to the computer, looked it up on the WADA or USADA Web
site(s), and confirmed that what he had found was an androgen, a listed
banned substance," Anderson's court brief states, referring to the
World Anti-Doping Agency and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
Anderson said he put the box back where he found it. Fearing he would
be fired, he said he did not confront Armstrong about it. He said he
looked for the box again after Armstrong left Girona to train in the
Canary Islands, but didn't find it.
"He was torn about what to do. He's an honest guy opposed to doping in
sports," said Anderson's attorney, Hal Gillespie. "(But) he was sure
that if he confronted, he would be fired. He's got a wife and young
child, no money and a long way from home."
Gillespie said Anderson did not see Armstrong taking any steroids or
other banned substances.
Anderson's brief also said he and Armstrong had a discussion in 2004
about cyclists who dope and claimed Armstrong told him, "Everyone does
it."
Gillespie said that conversation took place before Anderson allegedly
found the steroid. The lawyer also said he plans to depose Armstrong.
Anderson said he believes Armstrong knew about the alleged discovery
because their relationship began to deteriorate almost immediately.
Anderson said he was working as a mechanic at a local bike store when
he met Armstrong more than four years ago. They became friends, often
riding together, and Anderson regularly worked on Armstrong's bikes
before becoming his personal assistant in November 2002.
Anderson said he was paid about $3,000 a month for duties that ranged
from building bike trails on Armstrong's Hill Country property to doing
his grocery shopping in Spain. He says he developed a close
relationship with Armstrong and his family.
Anderson said he was fired in November 2004 after asking for, and
getting, a $500 a month raise. He said Armstrong's representatives
offered him a severance package totaling $7,000.
Armstrong and his personal service company, Luke David LLC, sued
Anderson about a month later, claiming Anderson demanded Armstrong pay
him $500,000, give him a signed Tour de France jersey and future
endorsements to help him set up his own bike shop.
Anderson countersued, accusing the cyclist of fraud, breach of contract
and causing him severe emotional distress. Anderson says an e-mail
Armstrong sent to offer him the job promised the help and should be
considered a binding contract.
Anderson said Armstrong also demanded he sign a confidentiality
agreement that would have held him liable for up to $1 million in
damages.
Thursday's filing was because the court wanted more details in support
of Anderson's claim.