LOS ANGELES (January 18, 2013)—When he admitted to Oprah Winfrey that he doped during his professional cycling career, Lance Armstrong may have opened himself up to a stream of litigation that could hurt his pocketbook for years to come, but the biggest question is whether the U.S. government will reopen its investigation of the Texas cyclist.

Some legal experts believe the backlash against Armstrong will force the government to re-examine the evidence in light of the admission, but others say reopening the case is unlikely.

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles announced last February they were dropping their examination of Armstrong and his teams.

The seven-time Tour de France winner now faces at least two pending lawsuits, including one that could require him to return substantial sponsorship fees and pay a hefty fine.