US Attorney Birotte issues statement on Armstrong

LOS ANGELES (AP) - United States Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. released the following statement Friday regarding the Lance Armstrong doping investigation:

"United States Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. today announced that his office is closing an investigation into allegations of federal criminal conduct by members and associates of a professional bicycle racing team owned in part by Lance Armstrong.

The United States Attorney determined that a public announcement concerning the closing of the investigation was warranted by numerous reports about the investigation in media outlets around the world.

Mr. Birotte commended the joint investigative efforts of his prosecutors and special agents with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Service - Office of the Inspector General.''