In this Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, file photo provided by Harpo Studios Inc., Lance Armstrong listens as he is interviewed by talk show host Oprah Winfrey during taping for the show "Oprah and Lance Armstrong: The Worldwide Exclusive" in Austin, Texas. (AP/Harpo Studios, Inc.)
WASHINGTON – Lance Armstrong is urging a federal judge to dismiss the Justice Department's False Claims Act lawsuit against him, arguing that the claims are barred by the statute of limitations.
In the filing Tuesday, lawyers for the disgraced cyclist also argue that the U.S. Postal Service, which sponsored Armstrong's team, got exactly what it bargained for -- that is, tens of millions of dollars' worth of publicity.
The Justice Department this year joined former Armstrong teammate Floyd Landis' whistle-blower lawsuit against Armstrong. The government claims that Armstrong violated his contract with the Postal Service and was "unjustly enriched" while cheating to win the Tour de France bicycle race.
In January, Armstrong admitted using performance-enhancing drugs after years of denials.
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