Readers sue Armstrong over drug-use denial in books
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - An aide to former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he was so taken by Lance Armstrong's first memoir of battling back from cancer to win the Tour de France multiple times that he immediately read it "cover to cover" and recommended it to several friends.
Now he wants his money back - and then some.
Rob Stutzman and several others who bought Armstrong's "It's Not About The Bike" and "Every Second Counts" have filed a lawsuit in Sacramento federal court. It alleges Armstrong duped them into believing the books were inspirational true accounts of the cyclist's accomplishments done without performance-enhancing drugs.
The lawsuit accuses Armstrong and the books' publishers of committing fraud, false advertising and other wrongdoing for publishing the cyclist's vehement denials that he wasn't a cheat.
Armstrong admitted to cheating throughout his career in a televised interview last week. His lawyer Tim Herman didn't immediately respond to inquiries for comment Thursday.
The lawsuit seeks class-action status on behalf of all readers who felt misled by Armstrong's denials of drug use in "It's Not About The Bike," published in 2000, and "Every Second Counts," published three years later.
"Although Stutzman does not buy or read many books, he found Armstrong's book incredibly compelling and recommended the book to several friends," the lawsuit stated.
The lawsuit filed Tuesday says Stutzman met Armstrong when the cyclist visited with Schwarzenegger.
"At that time, Stutzman thanked Defendant Armstrong for writing his book and told him it was very inspiring and that he had recommended it to friends who were fighting cancer," the suit says. "In response, Armstrong thanked Stutzman."
At least two authors have faced similar lawsuits when their supposed works of nonfiction were alleged to contain fabrications.
James Frey, author of "A Million Little Pieces," and his publisher settled a class-action lawsuit in 2006 alleging he made up parts of his best-selling memoir by offering to refund the cost of the book.
In April, a federal judge in Montana tossed out a lawsuit alleging fraud filed against "Three Cups of Tea" author Greg Mortenson as imprecise, flimsy and speculative.
Now he wants his money back - and then some.
Rob Stutzman and several others who bought Armstrong's "It's Not About The Bike" and "Every Second Counts" have filed a lawsuit in Sacramento federal court. It alleges Armstrong duped them into believing the books were inspirational true accounts of the cyclist's accomplishments done without performance-enhancing drugs.
The lawsuit accuses Armstrong and the books' publishers of committing fraud, false advertising and other wrongdoing for publishing the cyclist's vehement denials that he wasn't a cheat.
Armstrong admitted to cheating throughout his career in a televised interview last week. His lawyer Tim Herman didn't immediately respond to inquiries for comment Thursday.
The lawsuit seeks class-action status on behalf of all readers who felt misled by Armstrong's denials of drug use in "It's Not About The Bike," published in 2000, and "Every Second Counts," published three years later.
"Although Stutzman does not buy or read many books, he found Armstrong's book incredibly compelling and recommended the book to several friends," the lawsuit stated.
The lawsuit filed Tuesday says Stutzman met Armstrong when the cyclist visited with Schwarzenegger.
"At that time, Stutzman thanked Defendant Armstrong for writing his book and told him it was very inspiring and that he had recommended it to friends who were fighting cancer," the suit says. "In response, Armstrong thanked Stutzman."
At least two authors have faced similar lawsuits when their supposed works of nonfiction were alleged to contain fabrications.
James Frey, author of "A Million Little Pieces," and his publisher settled a class-action lawsuit in 2006 alleging he made up parts of his best-selling memoir by offering to refund the cost of the book.
In April, a federal judge in Montana tossed out a lawsuit alleging fraud filed against "Three Cups of Tea" author Greg Mortenson as imprecise, flimsy and speculative.
His next book should be really good!
Seriously? People will sue over the stupidest crap. Their lives were not "affected" by Lance Armstrong's drugging. I honestly wish that our civil court system was set up so that the losing side had to pay ALL attorney fees, courts costs, etc. for BOTH sides. Maybe then, these stupid lawsuits will go away and only the legitimate ones will go forward. But that won't happen, too many lawyers will be out of a job....
Ok,Armstrong lied.These asshats who want to sue are a bunch of moneygrubbing morons!!
there is going to be a small industry starting from all the lawyers lining up to sue Armstrong. better get in on it early , this guy fleeced a lot of people and they are not happy.
What about James Frey's book "A million little pieces" that he wrote as a memoir - Oprah praised it for her book club -- only to find out it was a complete work of fiction? Â
 What about Major League baseball players who denied using steroids but people paid to watch them play? sue them for the price of the tickets?Â
Seriously, people. get a grip. People lie. People Cheat. but the world still goes around.....
Honestly! Don't people have better things to do??? Â So they spent their money in what turned out to be the fictional section. He's a cheat. Gotta move past it people.Â
Oh well at least the book titles were not misleading; It's definitely not about the bike . lol
Well, he better get used to this, cause this is only the beginning.. after spending so many years ruining others' lives with his legal team, this is what he deserves!
Could win, but probably wont. If they do win, then American citizens could sue countless authors for printing information that was later proven inaccurate.
 @Jalharad There is a difference in intent and prior knowledge. Â
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Armstrong *knew* that what he was publishing and purporting his story to be was false. Â If he had published something believing it to be true and then later proven otherwise, that would be different.
@wsmith_84 @Jalharad Except he has presented an argument that he didn't even think he was cheating at the time.  I find this hard to believe he felt this way as many people had been suspended for doping when LA was riding, it is what he has stated prior to this suit being brought forward. There are people who should expect refunds from LA but these readers are not among them in my opinion.Â
Lance deserves to have every single penny he earned from his "sport" taken from him.Â
So he's suing over a book that was Fiction - big deal. Sue, sue sue. American has way too many lawyers.
 @Ned Attorney listing in the yellow pages is the largest category.
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Barristers and bankers........ are scumbags.
 @Ned But Armstrong's books were not sold or marketed as fiction.  They were marketed as a true autobiographical representation of his life.
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While I agree the lawsuit is somewhat silly, I'd venture a guess that it at least gets to the arbitration phase.