Published September 21, 2011 05:41PM
An Italian newspaper reported Wednesday that Lance Armstrong made payments to controversial Italian doctor Michele Ferrari via a third party company in Switzerland.
The Corriere della Sera, based in Milan, cited an investigation by Swiss and Italian authorities that reportedly showed Armstrong directed funds to a company in the Neuchatel region called Health and Performance.
The paper said Ferrari, who is banned from working with cyclists in Italy, was behind the “anonymous company now in liquidation.”
Ferrari was cleared of criminal charges in 2006. Armstrong has said he has maintained some social contact with Ferrari but has not worked with him professionally since 2004. Armstrong denies doping or any improper relationship with Ferrari.
The Corriere article also says Ferrari has worked recently with Denis Menchov and Michele Scarponi.
Corriere said Italian authorities are investigating about 30 people for involvement with a doping ring run by Ferrari.