NEWPORT NEWS
Michael Vick's representatives are talking to the NFL on his behalf about a return to football, the imprisoned quarterback told creditors in a bankruptcy court meeting.
Vick, on speaker phone from Leavenworth, Kan., said Friday that he does not know what his earning potential is.
"My plan is to go back into playing football," he said.
Vick, 28, did not divulge details of the discussions but said his agent and lawyers are talking to the league. He is suspended indefinitely from the NFL because of his conviction on a federal conspiracy charge related to a dogfighting operation he bankrolled in Surry County.
Later, Vick's bankruptcy attorney in New York, Peter Ginsberg, declined to say how far the talks with the NFL have gone.
"It's premature to comment on it," he said.
Vick's projected release date from prison is July 20, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons Web site.
Vick filed for bankruptcy protection in July in Newport News, his hometown. The meeting Friday allowed lawyers for the U.S. Office of the Trustee and creditors to ask Vick about discrepancies and information missing from his statement of assets and liabilities.
Vick answered questions for more than two hours, shedding light on how little he knew about some of his finances and how he met some of the people he trusted with his money.
Vick said no one is talking on his behalf to the United Football League, a start-up league that could begin play next year. A report this month by SportsIllustrated.com quoted UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue as saying there was a 98 percent chance Vick would sign with a UFL team.
At one point Vick was asked about David Talbot, Vick's former financial adviser who is accused of defrauding church members in New Jersey.
Vick said he met Talbot in April through his brother, Marcus, who is a good friend of Talbot's son.
Talbot, 54, visited him one day in prison and told him he could help Vick get released, Vick said.
"David Talbot told you he could get you released from prison?" asked Kenneth Whitehurst, an attorney with the Office of the U.S. Trustee.
Vick said Talbot told him he knew people who could help, but the discussion quickly turned to Vick's finances.
"He told me he was a doctor," Vick said.
Vick didn't know it at the time, but Talbot had filed for bankruptcy protection three times, each time failing to make payments, according to Vick's bankruptcy lawyers.
Vick said the attorneys from his criminal case, Billy Martin and Lawrence H. Woodward Jr., didn't want him to take on Talbot as his financial adviser.
"But I still did it anyway," Vick said.
In July, Talbot said in an affidavit to a federal bankruptcy judge that he had earned Vick's trust and was also providing spiritual guidance.
At some point Talbot, who had power of attorney for Vick, removed $50,000 from an account and told Vick it was to go toward a laywer in the bankruptcy case, Vick said.
"I don't know where it went," he said.
Vick said Talbot may also have a $20,000 chain that Vick had given to Marcus.
"My brother left a piece of jewelry at his house," Vick said. "I don't know what happened. I'm still trying to get specific details."
Vick and his bankruptcy lawyers cut ties with Talbot this month after they learned about his financial history and the allegations in New Jersey.
In another twist, Vick said he may have claims of up to $2 million to make against Woodward, the lawyer who helped defend Vick on his dogfighting charge and had worked on business deals for him.
Woodward, reached later Friday afternoon, said he didn't have any comment about the matter.
Vick didn't provide details of the potential claims. He said he only knows what he has been told by his bankruptcy lawyers.
Dave Forster, (757) 222-5563, dave.forster@pilotonline.com
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Michael Vick
It still amazes me how said we are as humans, ho long we hold on to hate and we wonder why are children are so full of rage loo at the parents. Michael was wrong for what he did and it is sad what happened to those animals, hating him won't bring them back, but forgiving and healing may prevent it from happening again. How can we ask someone to be compassionate when we show no compassion towards each other.
Should play again:
Speaking for myself, I vote forgive him. Michael should be permitted to play in the NFL again. The guy has paid his debt to society. Let him ride the bench as a back up QB, for a couple of years. There are lots of linebackers, who have dogs, and love them. They are just drooling and salivating, for Michael to play again. I believe they have some bone crushing, knock-you-into-tomorrow hits. Saved up just for Mr. Vick.
why the negative for Muchael
If yiu let this man reedeem himself he could be he greatest activist for animal safety if you self_righteous bigots would let himN
This case continues to amaze me,,,
I know that Michael Vick is one of Hampton Roads' sons, but let's be real - if this were any other Joe Schmoe off the street working a normal 9 to 5, the idea of him "being given" his job back after completing his prison time would be a non-issue. He shouldn't be rewarded for doing his time by being given anything - he has to work hard, prove himself and try to earn his job back. That is between him and the NFL/UFL.
As for this case and the sympathy everyone has for him - the fact is he was a consenting adult that was knowingly participating in illegal activities. That would be true regardless of whether it was related to animal cruelty or not. I'm ready for people to wake up and realize that the excuse of "oops, I didn't know" is not valid in this case or any other. It wouldn't gain sympathy for you or me, why is everyone okay with this being his excuse?? It's time for the spoiled, self-centered, suddenly-rich k
are dogs happy?
Absolutely yes! You left out the parts where man's best friend meets them at the door with their tail wagging, or running and playing in the back yard. Speaking for my own dog, I can see the joy in their eyes, I can't speak for your dog. Back to Vick, he doesn't deserve the NFL. However, he doesn't have the smarts top do anything else. Maybe he could run a kennel!
He should play again
God forgives and I am certainly inferior in his eyes and will forgive Michael and welcome him back to society, God said forgive who are we to disobey that command, I would be afraid to so should you.
When his sentence is completed
He is entitled to earn an honest living with his God given talents just like any other citizen.
Those of you who feel you are so perfect and feel you will never make a mistake in life, may find others as unforgiving of you when your mistakes are brought to light.
the more I read about this
the more I read about this guy, the more apparent it becomes that he is easily taken advantage of... the only thing he will have left is the hope that he can return to the NFL someday
Stupid is as stupid does...
What a web Vick has woven himself into. I don't watch football and could really care less if he's reinstated or not, but in the future, maybe Vick will be more judicious in choosing his entourage of advisors and be more hands-on with his own finances; should he ever come to regain his former fame and fortune.
Are dogs happy as pets?
Forget M. Vick. He is paying for his crimes. Lets talk about dogs in general that are considered house pets. Are they happy? I see people walking their dogs all time and they just don't look happy. Most of them really look sad. Their heads and tails are down. Their tongues are hanging out as they are led around on a lease. The males ignore the females (for obvious reasons) and they just lay around and look at their owners who totally control everything they do as if they are dog gods! The owners think this is pure friendship but what choice do dogs really have? Man almost sound like slavery. Is there such a thing as animal slavery? Move out the way Waldo! You are under my feet!
ypayne
"That man endured" because of the crime(s) that "that man" committed after lying about it initially. While I did not walk any "line" I'm quite confident that you didn't either. As for you not being God, I'm happy about that and am sure that He/She doesn't want any of his/her creations to be killed or made to suffer. HAGD
I have no problem with reinstatement
Almost 2 years removed from the NFL, he won't last long anyways. With that much time away, he'll never be able to regain his technical skills, not that they were that great anyways for a quarterback. His physical skills and running ability were what set him apart. He'll fade away.
Please don't
reinstate Vick! To do so would trivialize his crimes and show the NFL soft on principal.
Vick needs to get a real job, take some home economics classes since he obviously didn't learn anything the first go around,and show some true remorse-if he has it--before he is back playing games.
Will he play in the NFL?
Of course. The league is full of criminals.
They have no integrity or honor.
People that support criminals because they can run fast, jump high or play any other silly game have neither integrity nor honor as well.
If you would have asked me last year
I would have said Goodell would never allow it. But hey, PacMan Jones is back in uniform...Quite sad.
Reinstate Michael Vick
Let be begin by saying reinstate Michael Vick. No one should have had to endure what that man has had to endure. Rapists, individuals who have committed child abuse, etc. have not endured the humilation this man has had to endure. Its time to move on. Those animal rights activists will answer to a higher power and will be required to justify their attempts to destroy a man's life. Their response "because he abuses some "dogs" will not be enough. If I were God I would respond where were you or have you been on the picket line when children have been sexually abused. Were you on the picket line when women have been raped and sexually abused? Were you on the picket line when that poor unfortunate woman in West Virginia was raped and repeatedly sexually abused by a group of individuals including a mother and her son? Need I say more.
Michael Vick is paying for the wrongs he has committed. When will the mock