By PHATLAW Staff

The Former Atlanta Falcons’ Quarterback is scheduled for sentencing on December 10, 2007 on federal dogfighting conspiracy charges. However, the Former Highest Paid Football Player surrendered to U.S. Marshals on Monday, undoubtedly because he was anticipating a jail term. Vick’s involvement in the Bad Newz Kennels dogfighting conspiracy could land him in jail for up to 5 years.

QB 1’s decision to begin serving a prison term prior to sentencing was approved by the judge and by Vick’s lawyers. Billy Martin, one of Vick’s highly paid mouth pieces, said in a statement: “Michael wants to again apologize to everyone who has been hurt in this matter, and he thanks all of the people who have offered him and his family prayers and support during this time.”

PHATLAW does not believe that there are any direct legal benefits to No. 7’s decision to turn himself in early. Instead, Vick’s decision was probably motivated by avoiding the media onslaught that was sure to surround the court house on Dec. 10th and to get him back to playing football sooner rather than later. Also, turning himself in early may lead to the judge’s leniency in sentencing.

PhatThought: Only time will tell if this Hail Mary will result in a victory for Vick in the form of a light sentence.

PHATLAW will continue to post the latest developments in this case.

By PHATLAW Staff

A cloud seems to be hanging over Michael Vick these days.  It seems like the former star cannot get a break and in the opinions of many animal lovers he doesn’t deserve one.  Vick suffered his latest set back when an arbitrator ordered Vick to repay close to $20 million in bonus money to the Falcons.  The arbitrator’s ruling means Vick will likely have to repay $3.75 million of the $7.5 million bonus that he received after signing his current deal in 2004, $13.5 million of the $22.5 million in roster, reporting and playing bonuses he was paid in 2005 and 2006, and $2.72 million of the $7 million roster, reporting and playing bonus that he received this year.

NFL contract disputes are subject to mandatory arbitration.  Now that Vick has lost before the arbitrator he is expected to challenge the decision in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota, which has jurisdiction over NFL player disputes pursuant to a settlement between the NFL and the NFL Players Association.  However, Vick will likely have limited grounds on which to challenge the arbitrator’s ruling (i.e. the decision was procured by fraud or that the arbitrator exceeded the scope of his authority) and the standard of review will not be in his favor.  This means that the award will likely stand and that Vick is out $20 million more on top of the millions in endorsements he has already lost.  No less than 2 banks are also suing Vick for a total of approximately $4 million.  PHATLAW hopes for Vick’s sake that he has a rainy day fund stashed somewhere safe.

PhatThought: When it rains it pours!

PHATLAW will continue to post the latest developments in this case. 

By PHATLAW Staff

PETA announced on Tuesday that the former Atlanta Falcon’s QB completed an 8 hour class in empathy and animal protection. Apparently, the former Falcon Front man was given home study materials and took a test related to the above issues. PETA is now asking that the NFL make empathy training mandatory for all players.

Now, we all know that professional athletes don’t do anything unless there is something in it for them. In this instance, PHATLAW believes that Vick took this empathy class to score points with public opinion, the prosecutor, and the judge. All of these efforts are likely geared towards convincing the judge that Vick is remorseful and taking steps to atone for his behavior. These actions will likely be viewed favorably by the judge and helpful in Vick’s upcoming sentencing hearing.

PhatThought: When all else fails, seek the sympathy of your victim ( or at least your victim’s biggest champion) to win you a favorable ruling in the court of public opinion and justice.

PHATLAW will continue to post the latest developments in this case.

By PHATLAW Staff

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse for Michael Vick, it did.  The former Falcon’s superstar and future federal inmate violated the conditions of his release when his urine sample tested positive for Marijuna.  The federal court judge in charge of sentencing Vick in his criminal case ordered home confinement, electronic monitoring and further alcohol and drug testing for the former Virgina Tech graduate.  If he fails another drug test, Vick will be confined behind bars pending his December sentencing hearing.

Earlier this week state authorities anounced they were pressing criminal charges related to the dog fighting ring against Vick in addition to the federal charges to which he plead guilty.  Certainly, the million dollar question that we will be asking ourselves will be can Mike Vick make it until the December 10th sentencing hearing without blazing a fatty.  PHATLAW hopes for Vick’s sake he can but we wouldn’t bet on it. 

PhatThought:  How does that song go?  Because I got high because I got high. Looks like Vick may go to jail early because he got he…because he got high.

PHATLAW will continue to post the latest developments in this case.

By PHATLAW Staff

PHATLAW has learned that Surry County DA, Gerald Poindexter, has indicted Vick on Virginia state dog fighting charges.  PHATLAW readers will recall that the former Atlanta Falcon QB already faces up to 5 years in jail on federal dogfighting conspiracy charges.

PHATLAW doesn’t know how the DA plans to make these state charges stick because a person can’t be prosecuted twice for the same crime.  The facts and the law surrounding both the state and federal charges stem from Vick’s involved in a dogfighting ring wherein several dogs were tortured and killed.  To that end, the federal charges should trump the state charges.

PhatThought: It looks like the dog days of summer are still upon Michael Vick.

PHATLAW will continue to post the latest developments in this case. 

By PHATLAW Staff

Ron Mexico…I mean Michael Vick did something else dumb besides fund Bad Newz Kennels recently.  The former NFL star left his public apology notes on the podium after his speech.  Worse yet for Vick, someone from an animal humane society picked up the notes.  The animal anti-cruelty organization is now auctioning the notes on ebay.  At last check, the notes were going for $1,000.

One may ask is there anything Michael Vick can do legally to stop this auction?  PHATLAW believes the case of Finders v. Keepers is directly on point and Vick is SOL. 

PhatThought:  PHATLAW wonders whether Michael Vick will be bidding on his notes.

PHATLAW will continue to monitor the latest developments to this auction.

By PHATLAW Staff

In a press conference today, the former Falcon front man declares that he has found Jesus and will turn his life over to God.  In addition to praising the Lord, the former QB apologizes to Commissioner Goodell, the Falcon’s coach, Arthur Blank, and the kids who have looked up to him.  To add to the tear jerker, Vick stated that “dogfighting is a terrible thing.  I reject it.”  Read the rest of this entry »

By PHATLAW Staff

PHATLAW has learned that Commissioner Goodell has suspended the Falcon’s super star indefinitely without pay.  The Commish’s decision frees up the Atlanta Falcons to assert claims and remedies available to them under the Collective Bargaining Agreement or Vick’s NFL Player Contract.

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By PHATLAW Staff

The two words football fans have been anticipating from Michael Vick were said on Monday.  That’s right, the Falcon’s front man said I’m Guilty to charges of felony conspiracy.  Vick’s guilty plea stems from the illegal dogfighting enterprise that was busted by the Feds earlier this year.  Read the rest of this entry »

By PHATLAW Staff

$63 Billion dollars is the damages alleged in a lawsuit filed by a South Carolina inmate against the Falcons’ front man.  PHATLAW has learned that Jonathan Lee Riches has filed a handwritten complaint over “theft and abuse of animals” on July 23rd in the United States District Court in Richmond, Virginia.   The Crazy Man alleges that Vick stole two pit bulls from his home in Florida and used them for the dog fighting enterprise in Virginia. 

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