Vick Talking Plea Deal with Feds
NFL Star Quarterback Is Toast According to Atlanta Area Lawyer
NFL star quarterback Michael Vick’s attorneys are negotiating a plea deal with federal prosecutors, hoping to get him less than one year in jail if he pleads guilty to dog fighting charges.
ESPN is reporting that Vick’s defense team has been huddling with the feds in order to avoid more charges slated to be filed on Friday. The Falcons’ embattled play caller currently faces single counts of conspiring to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiring to sponsor a dog in animal-fighting ventures. If convicted, Vick – who last season set a single season rushing record for quarterbacks – faces a maximum of six years in prison and $350,000 in fines.
He and three co-defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges in July. But co-defendant Tony Taylor cut a deal with federal prosecutors two weeks ago, and his two remaining co-defendants are scheduled to enter plea agreements this week. Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips will appear before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson Thursday and Friday. Like Taylor, they are expected to testify against Vick who – according to a grisly, 18-page indictment released July 17 – bankrolled a multi-state dog-fighting venture between 2001 and 2007.
According to numerous media sources, the feds are prepared to file racketeering charges against Vick Friday if Vick doesn’t cut a deal. A so-called RICO – Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act – conviction could result in as much as 20 years in prison for the 27-year-old Virginia native. Originally the law was designed to combat organized crime.
Noted Atlanta area defense attorney Bill Johnston told Suite101.com that Vick would be wise to accept a plea deal.
“He’s toast,” said Johnston bluntly. “The federal prosecutors operate differently than state prosecutors. With the state system, they indict someone and then gather evidence. But by the time the feds bring a case before the grand jury and obtain an indictment the investigation is complete.”
Johnston also said the superceding indictment the feds are expected to file within days will include even more serious charges, putting Vick in an even more precarious position.
“In my opinion, the best thing Michael can do is to cut a deal, do his [jail] time and get back to his career,” he said.
Of course, Vick’s future in the National Football League is also dependent upon what NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell does if Vick pleads guilty. According to several news outlets Vicks attorneys are also talking with NFL officials to discuss how long he’ll be suspended by the league if Vick cuts a deal with prosecutors. Prior to the announcements concerning the pending plea deals by Vick’s two remaining co-defendants, Yahoo.com reported that Goodell was poised to announce Vick was going to be suspended from the NFL for a year.
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