Vick to Plead Guilty to Dog Fighting Charges
Attend courthouse rally in Richmond on Monday, Aug. 27
When federal prosecutors first leveled charges of dogfighting against Michael Vick about a month ago, the star Atlanta Falcons quarterback denied any involvement in the illegal bloodsport, even though fighting dogs and equipment were found at his Virginia home. He also told Falcons team owner Arthur Blank and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that he was innocent of the allegations against him, and maintained the same claim publicly.
Yet today, Vick officially changed his story by announcing he would be pleading guilty to felony charges of conspiring to run an illegal dogfighting operation called "Bad Newz Kennels" for the last six years. Three of his dogfighting cohorts -- Quanis Phillips, Purnell Peace, and Tony Taylor -- recently implicated Vick in plea agreements and agreed to testify against him in court. According to the co-defendants, Vick not only supplied most of the money used to run the dogfighting ring (including funds to cover $10,000 bets on individual fights), but actively helped execute at least eight dogs who lost fights, by drowning and hanging.
Vick entered a guilty plea as part of a special deal with federal prosecutors requiring he fully cooperate with the investigation in exchange for a reduced prison sentence. Up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines may also be levied against Vick, but these would likely pale in comparison to the financial losses he will suffer when corporate sponsors permanently end their lucrative endorsement deals with the famous football player. Potentially, the most devastating punishment of all for the disgraced athlete is that he could be banned from the NFL for life under the league's personal conduct policy.
Vick's impending guilty plea to dogfighting charges reveals that he has been betraying the trust of the NFL, his teammates, football fans, and the public during these past weeks and even years, trying to hide his disgraceful criminal conduct behind a facade of flimsy denials. The first step in bringing Vick to justice will take place on Monday, August 27 at a plea hearing in Richmond, where a rally will be held outside the courthouse.
1) Attend the courthouse rally to support the prosecution of Michael Vick to the fullest extent of the law for his crimes.
What: Michael Vick plea hearing demo
When: Monday, August 27, 9:30 a.m.
Where: Outside the U.S. Courthouse at 1000 E. Main Street in Richmond, Va. (map)
RSVP: Please RSVP to ephelps@idausa.org or call (415) 388-9641, ext. 240 for more information.
2) Please "Take Action" to thank prosecuting attorneys Michael Gill and Brian Whisler for pursuing the case vigorously and urge them to seek the maximum legal penalty against Vick for his violent crimes. Also follow up with a polite letter or phone call urging the same:
United States Attorney's Building
600 East Main Street
Suite 1800
Richmond, VA 23219-2447
Tel: (804) 819-5400
3) Call (212) 450-2000 and urge the NFL to ban Vick from the league for life under their personal conduct policy. Follow up with a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell urging the same:
Mr. Roger Goodell
NFL Commissioner
280 Park Ave.
New York, NY 10017