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Former aide: Androgen in Armstrong's apartment

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published on: 03/31/05

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.
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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.

Gaaah, E, why you cuttin on promo on Dana?

<======Couldn't be happier when this guy goes down, and goes down hard.

Also, rocking a black "LIVE WRONG" bracelet.

I hope he does go down. But he is still the best cycling. If you took all the Tour De France guys off dope he would beat them all then as well.

everyone has a right to their opinion... I personally don't agree with yours.

Sorry saw it and thought of you. But the where there is smoke there is fire theory is often true.

I'm not sure what to think about him. I can see the argument that to win one Tour is amazing but to win 6 is unheard of. Makes people wonder and speculate.

BUT, one can also argue that maybe he IS the fucking best ever. The Michael Jordan of cycling. Just a genetic freak that comes along once in a lifetime.


His body hasn't changed the way a Barry Bonds' has if he is on em.

Hey, I'll be the first to admit that the constant spotlight on Lance can be annoying... there are so many other amazing American cyclists out there that barely get a one-sentence mention in national sports pages (like Bobby Julich who just won the Criterium International, or anyone else on his Team CSC). I wouldn't be unhappy to see Lance not win this next Tour; he's had his moment in the sun.

That doesn't change the fact that I think he's an amazing athlete though, and could very well be what Ben suggests: "the Michael Jordan of cycling."

Yeah but if all these major league baseball players have to take the heat then lance should as well. As much as it may pain. His use of performance enhancing drugs is a FACT.

Bobby Julich also just won Paris-Roubaix. He is on an ass kicking tour right now.