NEW YORK — Lance Armstrong’s attorneys say illegal government leaks of grand jury information have sullied the cyclist’s reputation and have asked a court to order federal agents to discuss their contacts with the media.
In a 20-page notice of alleged violations filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, lawyers for the seven- time Tour de France champion cited more than a dozen articles in many media outlets from May 2010 through last month about an ongoing grand jury in- vestigation into whether Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs in violation of U.S. law.
The cyclist’s attorneys argue that only someone in the government could be responsible for the leaks and that a judge should order the government to explain why it should not be held in contempt. In a last resort, the lawyers said, the court could force journalists to reveal their sources.
“The leaker in this case has, from the beginning, acted with the obvious intent of legitimizing the government’s investigation of a national hero, best known for his role in the fight against cancer,” the court papers said. “Each leak has been designed to propagate public support for this investigation by smearing Armstrong and tarnishing his reputation. The tactical nature of these leaks cannot be ignored as it strongly suggests an underlying partisanship inherent in government agents.”
Armstrong’s lawyers accused The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated and the CBS program “60 Minutes” of reporting illegally leaked information.
Bush’s family takes back Heisman
SAN DIEGO — Reggie Bush’s family has taken back a copy of his 2005 Heisman Trophy from a San Diego sports museum.
The San Diego Hall of Champions said it returned the trophy to the family Friday and declined further comment.
The museum received the trophy from the family in March but never displayed it.
• Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said the arrest of his son on DWI and drug charges is a family and legal matter and doesn’t concern the Razorbacks’ football team.
Police in the southern Indiana city of Huntingburg said 23-year-old Dominic R. Petrino of Fayetteville, Ark., was arrested early Monday. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, possession of mari- juana, illegal possession of prescription drugs and possession of paraphernalia.
McMahon injured in limo accident
Former BYU and NFL quarterback Jim McMahon and two others were injured when a limousine crashed through a fence south of Reno, the Nevada Highway Patrol said.
The limo, owned by Bell Limousine of Reno, was heading north when it left the four-lane highway and crashed through a wire fence, over a culvert and into a pasture, Trooper Mike Edgell said.
• Authorities said a California sheriff’s deputy didn’t violate department policy when he fatally shot former NFL running back David Lee “Deacon” Turner after a scuffle at a convenience store.
The former Cincinnati Bengals player died July 10 at age 56. He was shot twice after authorities said he hit a deputy with a bag containing two cans of beer.
Turner played with the Bengals from 1978-80. He had a long history of arrests after his NFL career.
Footnotes.
The Anaheim Ducks signed defenseman Mathieu Carle to a one-year contract.
Anaheim acquired Carle from the Montreal Canadiens last week in a trade also involving former first- round draft pick Mark Mitera.
• Paralympic track and field athlete Matthew Brown has been suspended after testing positive for marijuana.
• Portland Timbers defender Kevin Goldthwaite will miss the rest of the MLS season because of ruptured ligaments in his left knee.
The Associated Press
