United States government targets Lance Armstrong’s girlfriend in ongoing investigation

The United States government has Lance Armstrong’s girlfriend, Anna Hansen, in its investigative crosshairs. Noting that Armstrong seemed to be dishonest with almost everyone but those closest to him, the U.S. government issued Hansen a subpoena, requiring her testimony for a deposition happening later this month. According to documents filed, the feds are interested in Armstrong’s history of lying and concealment—specifically one recent attempt to bury his part in an Aspen car accident.

“Until his confession, Armstrong told only those closest to him the truth about his drug-fueled success as a cyclist,” was the government’s response to Armstrong’s attorneys as reported by UPI, requesting the dismissal of the subpoena.

It’s all part of an effort to get to the bottom of “Armstrong’s character for untruthfulness,” to use the U.S. government’s words, something about which Hansen may be able to shed some light. “For example,” government attorneys told USA Today, “Hansen has admitted to conspiring with Armstrong to lie to Colorado police officers in the hope that Armstrong could avoid liability for a late-night automobile collision with a parked car.” Although not charged, Hansen confessed to lying about the incident in order to cover for Armstrong, USA Today reported. Her involvement, federal sources believe, may be a source of truth regarding Armstrong’s now-infamous campaign of concealment, doping, and other indiscretions.

The government’s ongoing investigation is connected to its lawsuit on behalf of the U.S. Postal Service. Their argument, USA Today reports, is that the Postal Service’s $30 million sponsorship of Armstrong’s cycling team wouldn’t have been offered had it known that doping was going on—something that violated the team’s sponsorship contract.

Armstrong “made false statements in order to get the USPS to make sponsorship payments to the team and to avoid the team’s obligation to repay,” federal sources said.