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| Michael Vick.
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By Dave Forster, Tim McGlone and Jim Ducibella
The Virginian-Pilot
The NFL acted swiftly Friday to suspend Michael Vick indefinitely without pay after the release of court documents detailing his admission to dogfighting allegations.
Months after saying he had nothing to do with it, Vick said in court papers that he bankrolled a dogfighting operation – and its gambling money – throughout his entire NFL career.
The document, released three days before Vick is scheduled to plead guilty in federal court in Richmond to a conspiracy charge, also says he helped kill six to eight dogs that he and his partners did not consider good fighters.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended the Atlanta Falcons star for “cruel and reprehensible” conduct and “significant involvement in illegal gambling” related to a dogfighting operation.
“Your team, fans and the NFL have all been hurt by your actions,” Goodell told Vick in a letter sent Friday.
Vick, 27, a Hampton Roads native who once signed the richest contract in NFL history, put a large swooping “M” on the 10-page federal court document late Thursday. The signature meant he admitted each allegation in it was true.
Among them:
- In 2001, following his last season at Virginia Tech, Vick paid about $34,000 to buy property in rural Surry County. The land would serve for the next six years as the “main staging area” of a professional dogfighting operation that Vick conspired to create and develop with three other men.
- The enterprise involved illegal gambling. Vick admits that he provided “most” of the money his partners used to place bets ranging into the thousands of dollars on matches.
- Vick attended and sponsored at least six dog fights between spring 2003 and 2004, including fights in North Carolina and South Carolina.
- Vick agreed to the executions of six to eight dogs in April 2007. The dogs were killed by hanging and drowning, and died “as a result of the collective efforts” of Vick and two of his co-defendants.
Vick’s signed plea agreement, also made public Friday, indicated prosecutors have agreed to a prison sentence for Vick of between one year and 18 months, based on the offense level listed in the terms of the agreement.
The prosecutors will recommend a sentence on the low end of that range if Vick fulfills his part of the deal, the agreement says.
Vick must cooperate fully and truthfully with prosecutors and tell them everything he knows about any criminal activity they ask about, according to the agreement. He must also reimburse the government for costs related to the approximately 54 pit bulls that were seized from Vick’s Surry County property in April. The dogs have been housed in local shelters since then and are expected to be euthanized.
U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson is expected to set a date for sentencing at the plea hearing on Monday.
The felony conspiracy charge carries a maximum punishment of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine .
The NFL’s conduct policy says the league can suspend or terminate the contract of a player who “knowingly associates with gamblers or gambling activity” or is “guilty of any other form of conduct reasonably judged by the League Commissioner to be detrimental to the League.”
The summary of facts signed by Vick said he did not gamble by placing side bets on any of the fights. It also said he did not receive any of the proceeds of the purses won by Bad Newz Kennels, the name of Vick’s dogfighting outfit.
In his letter, Goodell indicated he thinks Vick was directly involved in wagering.
“Your plea agreement and the plea agreements of your co-defendants also demonstrate your significant involvement in illegal gambling,” Goodell wrote. “Even if you personally did not place bets, as you contend, your actions in funding the betting, and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL Player Contract, and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player.”
Goodell said he will review the suspension “following the conclusion of legal proceedings.”
Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement that Vick’s actions are “incomprehensible and unacceptable for a member of the National Football League and the Atlanta Falcons.”
“We hope that Michael will use this time, not only to further address his legal matters, but to take positive steps to improve his personal life,” Blank said.
When he instructed Vick last month not to report to the Falcons’ training camp, Goodell also told the team not to take any action.
On Friday, he said the team can act.
That means the Falcons now could attempt to recover $22 million of Vick’s signing bonus from the 10-year, $130 million contract he signed in 2004.
Vick’s Virginia Beach attorney, Lawrence H. Woodward Jr., declined to comment on specifics in the court documents filed Friday.
“The documents speak for themselves,” Woodward said. “Mike, the government and Mike’s attorneys agree that the statement of facts is accurate.”
Vick’s three co-defendants – Quanis L. Phillips, 28; Purnell Peace, 35; and Tony Taylor, 34 – have all pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge. Each accepted a plea agreement that would have required them to testify against Vick had he gone to trial.
Vick’s signed statement includes an acknowledgement that he was present on two occasions when his co-defendants executed dogs at his Surry County property. Vick admitted that on both occasions he joined the men in putting dogs through test fights.
“Vick was aware that Phillips, Peace, and Taylor killed a number of dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions around this same time period,” the statement said in reference to a session in summer 2002.
“Vick did not kill any dogs at this time,” it said.
The men – minus Taylor, who left the group in 2004 – held another practice session in April of this year, the document says.
“Peace, Phillips, and Vick agreed to the killing of approximately 6-8 dogs that did not perform well in 'testing’ sessions at 1915 Moonlight Road and all of those dogs were killed by various methods, including hanging and drowning,” the statement says.
“Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts of Peace, Phillips, and Vick.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Dave Forster, (757) 222-5563, dave.forster@pilotonline.com
Tim McGlone, (757) 446-2343, tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com
Jim Ducibella, (757) 446-2364, ducidej@aol.com
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Very Sad
It's both difficult and sad to watch a young person with so much, lose it all due to bad choices. I hope he really has asked Jesus to forgive him and turned his life over to the care of God, as he states. The Bible tells us "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Those who believe in the word of God, cannot deny the healing power of Jesus that's available to each of us, including MV. He is in my prayers.
Guilty ...yeah so what???
They eat dogs in CHina. These animals are not pets- they are beasts. He was doing us all a favor by destroying them! So how many people did Vick hurt with his actions? Oh well.....I could care less either way. Break the laws our ludicrous government puts in place and you pay the price! Don't forget, no betting on the internet either, it hurts others and destroys property. (yeah right)
Sad thing is......OJ got off for murdering two people. Vick only killed a few dogs. So sorry PETA, I will toast you all tonight as I dig into my filet mignon which was beat in the head with an axe while my wife wears her baby seal fur coat to dinner.
Immature!!!
Is a word used to describe a teenager who get caught doing something wrong, not a 27 yr-old adult.MV is now asking God's forgiveness for what he had done.Did he ask God to forgive him when he started his road of crime with dogfighting.Did he ask God to forgive him and his cohorts in crime for forgiveness when they were hanging/drowning those dogs not up to their standards.NO.I like the program he put out at his press conference after his high priced mouthpieces had their chance the whole weekend to prep him on what he was to say.Now he is suppose to go on talk-radio tomorrow to answer ?s.This way one his high priced mouthpieces can give him the answers to say with only the talk jock present to see what is happening.Don't use God MV thisway
some one explain to me
What is the difference of Dogs being killed at Dog races after they can not perform no longer like they used too and whos going to prison for that?We are talking about this man like he commited Murder.....We kill Deers, Bears Ducks and no one goes to Jail,yeah i hear ya its a sport well so is Dogfighting except in this sport you go to Jail........only in America
Vick punishment
Michael Vick should be sentenced to 18 months in prison but he should not go alone. He should be joined in his cell by a fluffy golden retriever puppy newly weaned from it's mother and he should have to: name it, walk it 3 times a day, feed it twice a day; brush it daily and totally care for it. Upon his release from jail Vick should be required to give up the dog. Then and only then would he truly be redeemed and at that point, I would think he would be heartbroken by the loss of a companion animal and he would truly have changed his attitude about animals.
Then he should donate a very large portion of his personal wealth ( 7
Dog fights vs. Human fights
There is no comarison between humans who knowingly and willingly engage in 'extreme sports' and animals who are tortured, abused, and taunted into fighting. It is only a sport if ALL participants are willing participants.
Another Stupid Jock
I have to agree with Sir Charles Barkley. Vick screwed up. These sports people continue to embarrass themselves, their families, and their profession by participating in illegal activity. Unfortunately we the spectators continue to support these athletes (Vick, Pacman Jones, Bonds) by paying high prices for tickets only to see them hit, throw or shoot a ball. How stupid do you have to be to know you are not above the law?
Psychiatric help
If you read the book of Genesis, you will find that animals, such as dogs were here first. Or if you are an atheist, and believe in evolution, you will still find that there were animals here before man. So I think dogs deserve a little respect. I believe animals such as dogs, were put here as companions and helpers. Not to be trained as blood thirsty killers. I don't think Michael Vick's career should be destroyed, because he made a terrible mistake. What he need and people like him need, is psychiatric help. Because I think people who participate in activities such as dog fighting are sick. I would recommend therapy, community service with the spca, a fine to pay for retraining of the pit bulls taken from his property, and a hefty fine for what he did. This last fine would go to the law enforcement unit, that is in charge of prosecuting those, that are involved in this horrific activity. Some people may think this is too lenient, but think about those 300 pound defensive linesme
i do not agree witht he dodfighting, but....
before you want to comment on anything at all, make sure you know what you are talking about. Marcus got kicked off the team, not Michael. Secondly, doing the things that they did to the animals was horrible, but no one is going to listen to what you have to say if you are not even talking about the right person. Think before you speak people.!!!
do your research before you post. . .you are getting your black guys mixed up. . .most of the stuff you wrote was about marcus not mike. . .this is the perfect reason why this has turned into a black & white issue
No amount of Peta/SPCA work can make up for the
eventual destruction of 53-66+ lives of dogs who were born into his dirty scheme. Nor will it bring back dogs that he tormented and tortured while killing them because they "didn't perform well." Michael Vick was talented (so I heard) and he screwed up so bad VA Tech kicked him off the team! Then the Falcons snapped up his stupid butt, but he spent more time in the news for those stupid things like pulling a gun at a MacDonalds in Suffolk. If he never steps on a pro football field again, it will be too soon. He can't handle the kind of money he could make. According to news reports, he isn't consistantly good, just makes some good plays, well this one was tops! I hope he gets the snot pounded out of him in prison.
Vick is Not Alone
There are good athletes out there who go out, play the game, and try hard to be decent individuals. Unfortunately, there are too many people with power, influence and money that make horrendous choices and enjoy a "free pass" to do as they please. These folks are the ones who submit to their own weaknesses while taking advantage of the weaknesses in others. Did Vick slip up? Absolutely. Is he by himself? Absolutely not! The NFL/Altanta Falcons had a money machine in Michael Vick, and they kept excusing his bad choices long before dogfighting ever became an issue. Vick supplied fans, sponsorship and money, while the NFL provided a legal "free pass" and a huge salary. Maybe the NFL should trade in their yard markers for a moral compass...
Vick
He will be back on the field in 1-2 years.
rev Jackson Respected???
....However, if Mike goes and actively works with the SPCA/PETA that will make some amends. If he can work with Rev Jackson or other respected clergy, ....
respected? The rev without a church???
Be that as it may, my nephew had several classes with Michael at Tech. He is remembered as popular, respected, and fun guy to be around. Too bad he blew it all.....
Cure the Ignorance that Harms
Just completing a prison term won't change the way Michael "saw things in his own mind" that lead to dogfighting. Michael Vick received a sports scholarships that was only intended to pay for a 4-year education at Va Tech that would result in a Bachelor of Science Degree. You can't take that college degree away after it is earned. Lord knows, Mike sure needed the education. He never burned the midnight oil at the library studying. You are very misdirected if you think college education is intended to get sports players a lucrative professional contract. Contracts can be cancelled! A solution to animal abuse may come from requiring Michael to complete the last two years of his degree program with at least a B grade point. Tough love.
Stop being hypocritical
Everyday here in the states and around the world we are killing cows, chickens, lambs, pigs and so on for food. Some places in the orient dog meat is a delicacy. On television day and night we witness the most barbaric form of entertainment that closely resembles dog fighting, but instead of dogs fighting it's humans fighting. The sport is called extreme fighting . The two guys are doing everything dogs would do to each other minus biting. Still were glued to the television cheering for our favorite guy to slaughter unmercifully the opposer,with not a peep heard from all the selfrighteous hypocrits who've made ending MV's career and name their #1 thing to do on their to do list. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Suspended without pay~Cool!
There are still unsanwered questions. Will the NFL go after the advance money paid Vick? Will the State file charges? Will Vick ever publically apologize? Has Mamma Vick had anything to say about her precious boy? What about his staged dogfighting days in his garage as a youth? Where was Mamma then? Will the NFL decide to take him back? I understand he is thinking of building a hunting lodge on his new property. I'm not sure that's a good idea, but he won't be able to own a gun. Yeah right! There's a lot about this man that doesn't meet the eye....the man is scary in every sense of the word. We are now seeing the true Vick, but I seriously doubt if we have seen all of him.
Vick
Here is another of the so called sports hero like Strawberry, OJ, Bonds, Gooden, they are into drugs or non payment of taxes or murder. The leagues need a code of conduct and enforce it. Is this what the kids need to look up to!!!
Mike Vick deserves a second chance
Make no mistake, I fully understand the horrible nature of MV's crimes. Frankly, I don't think 18 months in prison is enough. The man operated a criminal enterprise for years and lied to everyone about it. He tortured poor, innocent animals to death for amusement. Make no mistake, hunting and fishing bear no resemblance to these crimes. However, after his debt to society is paid, providing he shows proper remorse, and if he provides personal and financial aid to support abused/abandoned animals, he should be allowed back into the NFL. No man should be denied a chance at redemption.
What about human victims
The fact that Michael Vick will be punished for his crime does not upset me the least. Trust me, I'll be able to sleep at night. He should pay for his crime. What bothers me, however, is the fact that there have been NFL players involved in even more serious crimes-crimes against human beings and they are still playing! Furthermore, lest we forget, the Jessica Lunsford murder/rape case never got this much national debate, outrage, and media coverage. In fact, I can't remember when I've seen cases involving human victims of rape and death recieve this much anger. And frankly, I find that even more appauling than the animal abuse it's self. Sadly, this is bold statement to some, but humans are worth more than animals!