PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL<br/> <br />ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION<br/> <br />U.S. federal prosecutors announced on Friday (February 3) that an investigation into allegations of criminal conduct by members and associates of a bike racing team partly owned by seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong had been closed without charges being brought.<br/> <br />The inquiry centred on allegations of drug trafficking, money laundering, and conspiracy involving the Tour de France champion and other cyclists.<br/> <br />U.S Attorney Andre Birotte Jr said he was making a public announcement about the closure of the investigation because of widespread media reports about the case.<br/> <br />A U.S. government statement read: "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.<br/> <br />"The United States Attorney determined that a public announcement concerning the closure of the investigation was warranted by numerous reports about the investigation in media outlets around the world.<br/> <br />"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."
