Federal judge rules for Lance Armstrong in book lawsuit

AUSTIN, Texas – A federal judge in California is siding with Lance Armstrong and the publishers of his autobiographies, rejecting claims in a lawsuit that lies about not using performance-enhancing drugs amounted to fraud and false advertising.

In a ruling issued Tuesday, the judge sided with lawyers for Armstrong that the books are free speech protected by the First Amendment.

A group of readers who bought Armstrong’s “It’s Not About The Bike” and “Every Second Counts” sued in Sacramento federal court seeking more than $5 million. They said they were duped into believing the books were inspirational true accounts and should have been labeled fiction.

Armstrong admitted in January to doping to win the Tour de France seven times. The titles from cycling’s marquee race have been stripped away.