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.

Vick offered plea deal recommending at least a year in prison

This just hit the Virginian Pilot's website a short while ago(http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=130378&ran=147795&tref=po):

Federal prosecutors have offered Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick a plea deal that would recommend he serve at least one year in prison on a felony dogfighting conspiracy charge, according to two sources with knowledge of the discussions.

Vick has until 9 a.m. Friday to accept the offer or potentially face additional charges when a grand jury convenes next week in U.S. District Court in Richmond, one of the sources said. At least two of Vick’s attorneys have been discussing a plea bargain with prosecutors since early this week, the source said.



Two co-defendants are scheduled to appear in court Friday morning where they are expected to enter guilty pleas. Quanis L. Phillips, a friend of Vick’s since middle school and a high school football teammate of his, has a plea agreement hearing set to begin at 9 a.m. Friday. That is to be followed by a plea agreement hearing for a second co-defendant, Purnell A. Peace.

The third co-defendant in the case, Tony Taylor, plead guilty and accepted a plea deal last month. His sentencing is set for Dec. 14.

Plea agreement hearing set for Vick co-defendant

In my opinion, far too many professional athletes get away with far too much bad behavior. It looks like it may all be catching up with Michael Vick, the former Virginia Tech star (no, I am not some jaded UVA alumni reveling in Vick's troubles) and current Atlanta Falcons star. Here's highlights of an article in today's Virginian Pilot

One of Michael Vick's co-defendants doesn't want to wait for trial. A plea agreement hearing has been scheduled for Tony Taylor at 9 a.m. Monday in the federal dogfighting conspiracy case.

Taylor's hearing was added to U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson's docket Friday, a day after he and the other three defendants pleaded not guilty before the same judge. Vick and the others still are scheduled for trial Nov. 26.

Prosecutors claim Taylor, 34, found the Surry County property purchased by Vick and used it as the site of "Bad Newz Kennels," a dogfighting enterprise. The Hampton man also allegedly helped purchase pit bulls and killed at least two dogs that fared poorly in test fights. Taylor's lawyer, Stephen Ashton Hudgins of Newport News, did not immediately return a phone message, and federal prosecutors have declined to talk about the case. Also Friday, Nike Inc. and Reebok International Ltd. suspended sales of Vick signature apparel including jerseys and shoes.

If Taylor cops a plea, we can be pretty sure that he will be a witness for the prosecution. For some time now, Vick has thought he could do whatever he wanted - a male Lindsay Lohan, if you will - and it will be interesting to see how this all plays out.