Judge rules Vick must pay own way to bankruptcy hearing

[Lou]

Judge rules Vick must pay own way to bankruptcy hearing

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Suspended NFL star Michael Vick must appear at a bankruptcy hearing next month but should pay his own way from the Kansas prison where he is serving time for his role in a dogfighting conspiracy, a judge ruled Wednesday.
At an hourlong hearing, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank J. Santoro rejected the government's suggestions that he either postpone Vick's April 2 bankruptcy confirmation hearing or allow the suspended player to testify by video hookup from the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kan.
NO SALE: Nobody buys Vick's home outside Atlanta at auction

"I'm not going to be put in a position of determining credibility or demeanor over a television," said Santoro, who has insisted since Vick filed for bankruptcy in July that he would have to testify in person.
The U.S. attorney's office in Alexandria, Va., objected to a proposed court order compelling federal marshals to pick up the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback and bring him to Virginia. They cited the logistical burdens, security risks and costs of the temporary transfer.

Santoro said the government provided no evidence to back up the inconvenience and security concerns. However, he agreed with the government's claim that the taxpayers should not have to foot the bill.
The government provided no estimate of how much the trip would cost. One of Vick's criminal attorneys, Lawrence Woodward, presented receipts showing it only cost about $3,636 to bring Vick from Leavenworth to Surry County, Va., in November to plead guilty to state dogfighting charges. Vick paid for that trip.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Coulter also argued that Vick's transfer would compromise "the integrity of the corrections system" by temporarily springing him from the federal penitentiary to tend to his personal affairs. Santoro disagreed, saying Vick probably would rather stay put.
"Mr. Vick is not going to more luxurious accommodations by moving from Leavenworth to the Newport News lockup," where he will be housed while in Virginia, the judge said.
Santoro also balked at delaying the hearing, citing the rights of creditors who are owed millions of dollars.
For the first time, Vick's attorneys publicly confirmed that he has been approved for transfer to home confinement home no sooner than May 21, about two months before his scheduled release from federal custody.
Vick's attorneys had been saying his move to a halfway house was imminent, but Woodward said Vick's probation officer told him Tuesday that Vick will serve the last few weeks of his 23-month sentence at his home in Hampton.
Coulter cautioned that problems still could arise that would delay the move. Though he did not elaborate, Santoro rejected the idea of postponing the confirmation hearing without any assurance that Vick's transfer to home confinement will come off as planned.
Vick's Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan is based largely on his intention to resume his NFL career. Vick was suspended indefinitely after his 2007 indictment, and league Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he will review Vick's status after he is released.
The Falcons still hold the contract rights to Vick but have said they will try to trade him. Vick's bankruptcy plan would allow him to keep the first $750,000 of his annual pay. After that, a percentage would go to his creditors based on a sliding scale.
Vick's eight bedroom, 11 bath home in suburban Atlanta is being sold to pay off part of his debts, but no one bid Tuesday when it went up for auction with a minimum price of $3.2 million.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Princes mom]

I have only one word for this judgement...YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
He should not have been let out in the first place. Make an example of him!!

[lil fu fu girl]

Here,here! He only deserves what treatment he gave his dogs! Kick him to the curb, I say!

[Lou]

Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he will review Vick's status after he is released.

I think we all need to write Mr Goodell and see that Vick doesn't get back into the sports world. How will that look to the young boys that are in danger of falling into that mindset?

[JJC]

It's good to see that he has to pay his own way. For as long as I can remember whever we have driven by the prison I have always looked for the buffalo. Now I also look at the building and think about Vick being there and those poor animals that suffered and died.

[lil fu fu girl]

Originally Posted by Lou

Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he will review Vick's status after he is released.

I think we all need to write Mr Goodell and see that Vick doesn't get back into the sports world. How will that look to the young boys that are in danger of falling into that mindset?

Excellent idea!

[Lou]

In May of 2007 the president of the Humane society of the United States wrote to Roger Goodell. I have pasted it below.
Please everyone write to Roger Goodell and ask him to keep Vick out of professional sports!


May 3, 2007
Roger Goodell
Commissioner
National Football League
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017

Dear Mr. Goodell:
On behalf of The Humane Society of the United States (The HSUS), the nation’s largest
animal protection organization, I am writing to you regarding recent dog fighting
allegations against Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. In light of these serious
allegations and other incidents of illegal animal fighting involving NFL players, The
HSUS is calling upon the NFL to collaborate with us in an organized effort to eradicate
animal cruelty and illegal animal fighting activity from the ranks of the NFL.
As you and most of the public are keenly aware of by now, Michael Vick is the subject of
an ongoing investigation into allegations that he operated an illegal dog fighting operation
out of his Virginia home. During a drug-related raid on the home, authorities found over
fifty pit bulls, all of whom were in various stages of physical deterioration, locked inside
concrete kennels behind the home. Also found was an inventory of instruments specific to
organized dog fighting operations. Confidential informants of The Humane Society of the
United States have provided us with prior intelligence about Mr. Vick’s participation in
this practice.
We believe that the current situation involving Michael Vick is indicative of a larger
subculture within the NFL of dog fighting and other forms of violence against animals.
Indeed, dogfighters do not typically stage fights between two animals they own. Rather,
they fight their dogs against the dogs of other aficionados. The HSUS tracks 10
underground dog fighting magazines and a laundry list of web sites, and we can assure you
that this is a major underground criminal industry. You may be aware that former NFL
player LeShon Johnson was recently convicted of illegal dog fighting after a raid in
Oklahoma in which 141 fighting dogs were seized.
Likewise former Dallas Cowboys lineman Nate Newton was once arrested at a dog fight,
and former Oakland Raider Tyrone Wheatley, a former pit-bull breeder, once glorified pit
bull fighting by describing it as “instinctive” and “motivational” in a 2001

Sports
Illustrated interview. Wheatley also reportedly even once bragged about having sold dogs
for fighting.
Page 2
More recently, in February 2007, Atlanta Falcons Jonathan Babineaux was charged with
animal cruelty for allegedly beating to death of his girlfriend’s pit bull. Charges against
Babineaux are still pending, but the case, like all of the aforementioned cases, underscores
the need for the NFL to undertake a truly aggressive outreach program targeting the issue
of illegal animal fighting and animal cruelty among its players.
The problem of illegal animal fighting and other forms of animal cruelty is widespread, but
they have a particular significance where high-profile sports personalities are concerned
because of the influence the behavior and habits of these athletes have over fans. As you
yourself stated in announcing the NFL’s recently-amended Personal Conduct Policy, “It is
important that the NFL be represented consistently by outstanding people as well as great
football players, coaches, and staff."
Dog fighting is a serious crime, not only causing appalling animal cruelty, but also often
associated with other criminal activity, such as narcotics traffic, illegal gambling, and
human violence. All 50 states ban dog fighting, and it is a felony in 48 states. The
Congress just passed legislation making it a federal felony to move fighting dogs across
state lines, with penalties per violation of 3 years in jail and fines up to $250,000.
We invite you to join with The HSUS in crafting the guidelines for an effective, zerotolerance
policy for NFL players and staff regarding animal cruelty and illegal animal
fighting. We feel such a partnership has the potential to positively impact millions of
young people in communities who look up to NFL athletes as role models. Additionally, a
partnership between the HSUS and the NFL will help support the NFL’s stated goal of
holding its employees to a higher standard and will help the NFL maintain its integrity in
the face of increasing concerns over the conduct of its players.
Finally, we hope you will collaborate with The HSUS to combat animal cruelty and animal
fighting in order to send a clear message to the public that the NFL does indeed intend to
hold its players to the highest standards. By setting an example of compassion for the
public, the NFL has the chance to tackle the problem of animal cruelty and animal fighting
from the top down and to truly make a difference for our communities.
I would certainly be willing to meet with you at your earliest convenience to develop the
elements of a pro-active plan to address this problem. Thank you for your attention to this
matter, and we look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Wayne Pacelle

President & CEO

[Lou]

I haven't been able to find an email address fro goodell but there is a form you can fill out on the official NFL website. I'm leaving a message there as well as a written one. Here is the link.

NFL Contact Us

[Princes mom]

Originally Posted by Lou

I haven't been able to find an email address fro goodell but there is a form you can fill out on the official NFL website. I'm leaving a message there as well as a written one. Here is the link.

NFL Contact Us

Thank you. I will definately follow up. I would NEVER patronized any team he was on, if he is allowed to play again. Hopefully there will be protesters there. I personally think his jail time was much too short. I'm glad he lost his multi-million dollar home here in Gwinnett county...he should never be forgiven!

[Lou]

You are sure welcome and thanks for jumping on board. Tell all your friends!