Irish journalist’s version:
Former professional cyclist Lance Armstrong is facing legal action over allegations of harassment towards plaintiffs’ counsel. Judge Melissa Damian had ordered Armstrong and his counsel to appear in court on April 20 to address the accusations. However, Armstrong has openly mocked the order on social media, instead tweeting pictures of himself on a beach in the Bahamas.
Armstrong’s alleged harassment towards plaintiffs’ counsel is related to a lawsuit filed against him by a group of investors. The investors claim that Armstrong and his business partner, Bill Stapleton, defrauded them by concealing Armstrong’s use of performance-enhancing drugs during his cycling career. The lawsuit seeks $5 million in damages.
The investors’ counsel, John W. Keker, has accused Armstrong of using social media to harass him and his colleagues. Keker claims that Armstrong has posted defamatory comments about him and his team, and has even gone so far as to create a fake Twitter account in Keker’s name. Keker says that Armstrong’s behavior is “unacceptable” and “unprofessional.”
Armstrong has denied the allegations of harassment, and has claimed that he is being unfairly targeted by the investors’ counsel. In a statement to the media, Armstrong said that he has “never harassed anyone” and that he is “confident” that the court will find in his favor.
Despite Armstrong’s denials, Judge Damian has ordered him and his counsel to appear in court to address the allegations of harassment. If found guilty, Armstrong could face fines or even jail time.
Armstrong’s behavior has been widely criticized by legal experts and members of the public. Many have accused him of showing a lack of respect for the legal system, and of behaving in an unprofessional and immature manner.
Armstrong’s case is just the latest in a string of legal battles that he has faced since admitting to using performance-enhancing drugs during his cycling career. In 2013, Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from professional cycling for life.
Despite the controversy surrounding him, Armstrong has remained a popular figure in the world of sports. He has continued to be involved in cycling, and has even launched his own podcast, “The Forward,” which features interviews with athletes, celebrities, and other notable figures.
However, Armstrong’s legal troubles show no signs of abating. The harassment allegations against him are just the latest in a long line of legal battles that he has faced since his fall from grace in 2013.
As the case continues to unfold, many will be watching to see how Armstrong responds to the allegations against him. Will he continue to mock the court and its orders, or will he take the accusations of harassment seriously and address them in a more professional manner? Only time will tell.
