Great points, all:
In fact, initially the media only picked up on the alleged discovery of a box of steroids. It still lags the reporting of the subsequent pleadings.
Because 'steroids' and 'scandal are now a media theme after 50 years of supression (cover up and hero worshiping). This newest theme will pass too, but at present, it supplants the tired theme of the athlete as a pure hero/warrior.
Lance has his Cancer Survivor special consideration that a Barry Bonds does not possess, thus is still dressed in a white cape.
Stapleton & Knaggs (CSE) are acting as agents, not attorneys. But they seem to be bullied by LA as much as LA bullies his enemies.
Now a professional attorney is on the job. The actions and responces, the affidavids were intitated by him in a pro-active and responsible manner.
Stapleton & Knaggs are now out of the loop.
Legally, this entire case is very weak, on all sides.
My only interests are 1) whether a violation of USADA testing occurred in 2004, 2) why Michele Ferrari needs a secret code name; 'Schumi' and 3) why Ferrari requires specialized taxi schuttle service.
btw: The $500,000 proposed settlement (and TDF jersey, and some othere items) was solicitated by Bill Stapleton---'before WWIII breaks out', his words.
The offer was faxed to CSE. No response from CSE, whatsoever.
The LA lawsuit/action followed.
I think $500,000 was very reasonable given the damage that has thus occurred.
kennf said:
The suit initially filed by Armstrong was for declaratory relief-- that is, to have a declaration from the court that there was no contract between Armstrong and Anderson regarding future employment or to fund his bike shop. I can tell you that it is not at all unusual to take the initiative and file such suits for declaratory relief as a preemptive measure-- I do it for clients all the time. Given the fact that Anderson made the outrageous demand of $500k (for what? building bike trails at Armstrong's ranch?), the actions of Armstrong's attorneys in filing the initial suit are understandable.
As for the phone call made to Anderson by Russey, I don't think that's unusual either. Anderson was already represented by counsel, so Armstong and his representatives could not contact Anderson directly. So, I'm guessing they wanted someone to try and talk to Anderson to see if any resonable result could be negotiated, without the presence of his lawyers, who are apparently taking 40% of any recovery.
If Anderson isn't lying, why wouldn't Armstrong settle instead of taking the initiative and filing suit? Why didn't he settle for $500k Well, on its face, it seems like a preposterous amount, and could open up the floodgates for all kinds of "hangers-on" who think they have provided services for Armstrong.
I'm not sure you can gauge the expertise of Mr. Stapleton and the lawyers representing Armstrong by reading the headlines. The press is notroiously ignorant when it comes to reporting on legal disputes.