Armstrong purchases another Texas home

AUSTIN, Texas - Agence France-Presse

Disgraced US cyclist Lance Armstrong is facing a series of lawsuits that could threaten a serious portion of his estimated fortune of around $100 million.

Disgraced US cyclist Lance Armstrong has purchased an Austin-area home just days after he sold his luxury Spanish-style estate he has lived in since 2006, it was reported on April 16.

The Austin American-Statesman described the home as being located in an exclusive sub-division. The newspaper did not reveal the purchase price but Austin real estate agents said it was valued at about $4.3 million.

No bank loans

There was also no record of whether Armstrong took out a bank loan to pay for the house, the American-Statesman said.

Last week, Armstrong sold his central Austin home for an undisclosed price. He bought the 7,850-square-foot home in 2004 and spent two years fixing it up.

Armstrong, who has been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and abandoned by former sponsors after finally admitting he took performance-enhancing drugs last year, sold the property to Texas oilman, Al Koehler.
The house was listed at $10 million but Koehler said he got it for less.

Facing lawsuits

Armstrong’s fortune is estimated at between $60 million and $110 million but he is facing a series of lawsuits that could cost him dearly.

The largest lawsuit is a whistle-blower case filed by former American teammate Floyd Landis in conjunction with the US Justice Department.

He is also being pursued by US insurer SCA Promotions which is seeking reimbursement of $12 million in Tour bonuses it insured.