Bad Newz Dogs Vick

Co-defendant pleads guilty, spills to prosecutors

(NEWSER) - Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick financed the dogfighting ring busted on his Virginia property, his co-defendant told prosecutors yesterday. Tony Taylor entered a guilty plea for his role in Bad Newz Kennels, the organization Vick allegedly used to train and fight dogs, Bloomberg reports. Taylor's cooperation wasn't based on a specific sentencing deal, he told the AP. More»

He'll work construction while living in his Va. home

(AP) - Michael Vick arrived at his Virginia home today after being released yesterday from federal prison. After 19 months in a Kansas lock-up, the suspended NFL player will spend the remaining two months of his sentence for financing a dogfighting operation under home confinement, wearing an electronic monitor and working a $10-an-hour job as a laborer for a construction company. More»

Prosecutors hope to beat creditors to NFL star's assets

(NEWSER) - The feds want Michael Vick to pick up the nearly $1-million tab for the 48 pit bulls they seized from his home. Prosecutors say the Atlanta Falcon, who surrendered to authorities yesterday to begin serving his time, should pay for the seizure, care, and adoption of the dogs, which they allege were abused at Vick’s home. Sentencing isn’t until early December, but the government filed a motion today to have the money frozen now. More»

Disgraced QB admits sponsoring dogfighting, promoting gambling

(NEWSER) - Michael Vick admits sponsoring a dogfighting operation and denies killing dogs but acknowledges that dogs were killed through his and two co-defendants' "collective efforts," according to the plea agreement the disgraced Falcons QB signed yesterday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. He also acknowledges promoting gambling but denies being a party to side bets at dogfights. More»

Redemption is there in spades, but little talk of horrid crime

(NEWSER) - Critics agree BET's The Michael Vick Project is conveniently focused more on the NFL star's comeback than on the horrid crime that laid him low in the first place. Still, some find the 8-episode "quasi-documentary" appealing:

• Vick presents himself as reformed, Robert Lloyd writes in the Los Angeles Times , but in visiting his old dogfighting compound, he " seems more nostalgic than contrite." No matter. "For many, his redemption will be strictly a matter of his playing football well. And if he doesn't, well, at least he won't be shot, drowned or hanged for it."