Feds Want Nearly $1 Million from Michael Vick for Dogs' Care

As most readers will have gathered from my prior posts about football star Michael Vick and his prosecution for illegal dog fighting, I have little sympathy for Vick. In my view his is all too typical of the spoiled and pampered athlete who has been permitted to get away with all kinds of improper conduct for many years. Hopefully, Mr. Vick's fall will be a message to other sports stars that they are not above the law or the requirements of civil conduct. Here are some highlights from the Virginian Pilot's breaking story (http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=137281&ran=243347&tref=po):

Federal prosecutors want nearly $1 million in restitution from Michael Vick for the long-term care of his former pit bulls, and they are concerned about his ability to pay the amount amid his mounting financial troubles, according to court papers filed today. The prosecutors filed a motion asking U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson to order Vick to keep at least enough money to repay the government for the care and placement of about 50 pit bulls that were seized from NFL star’s dogfighting operation, according to the document.

The prosecutors estimated restitution will total about $928,000, a figure that could rise or fall by the time Vick is sentenced on Dec. 10, according to the motion. The prosecutors mentioned four creditors that are seeking to recover money from Vick, who once signed the richest contract in NFL history but now faces an uncertain future in football. The NFL suspended him indefinitely without pay pending the outcome of his criminal case. An arbitrator ruled that his team, the Atlanta Falcons, can recover almost $20 million in bonus money from the Newport News native, and three banks are seeking a total of about $5 million on allegations of defaulted loans, the document says.

Vick pleaded guilty this summer to conspiring to run an interstate dogfighting venture with three other men, beginning in 2001. His three co-defendants have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Vick turned himself in Monday to begin serving whatever sentence he receives in three weeks.