One of Michael Vick’s co-defendants pleaded guilty Monday to his role in a dogfighting conspiracy he says was financed almost entirely by the Atlanta Falcons quarterback.
As part of a plea agreement in Richmond, Va., Tony Taylor pledged to fully cooperate with the government in its prosecution of Vick and two other men accused of running an interstate dogfighting enterprise known as Bad Newz Kennels on Vick’s property in rural Surry County.
“The Bad Newz Kennels operation and gambling monies were almost exclusively funded by Vick,” a summary of facts supporting the plea agreement and signed by Taylor states.
The plea deal requires Taylor to testify against Vick and his two remaining co-defendants if called upon to do so. Taylor cannot get a stiffer sentence or face any new charges based on any new information he provides, according to terms of the agreement.
Additional charges are possible against Vick and the other two.
Taylor, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities, and conspiring to sponsor a dog in an animal-fighting venture.
Vick pleaded not guilty to the same charges last week and said in a written statement that he looked forward to “clearing my good name.”
He also pleaded with the public to resist a rush to judgment.
Taylor, who will be sentenced Dec. 14, faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
49ers: Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore, who set a franchise single-season record last season while leading the NFC with 1,695 yards rushing, broke a bone in his right hand during the first padded practice of training camp and might not play in the preseason.
Gore will be re-evaluated next Monday, and coach Mike Nolan said he expects him to return to practice then with a cast on his hand.
Raiders: Free-agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper is expected to work out for Oakland today, two weeks after being released by the Miami Dolphins.
“Any time that we have a chance to investigate something that can help our team win, we’re going to do it,” Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said.
Patriots: Defensive back Chad Scott will miss the upcoming season because of a knee injury, the team announced. Meanwhile, cornerback Asante Samuel’s holdout continued.
Lions: Rookie quarterback Drew Stanton, a second-round draft pick from Michigan State, will have surgery to clean cartilage from his right knee, and could be out as long as a month.
Colts: Indianapolis placed former Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders (shoulder) and linebacker Keith O’Neil (hernia) on the physically unable to perform list. Sanders had shoulder surgery, while O’Neil underwent sports hernia surgery.
Also, defensive tackle Corey Simon failed the team physical, putting his status in limbo.
“There’s a couple of different lists we can put him on based on when he might be able to play again,” coach Tony Dungy said.
Redskins: Washington agreed to terms with No. 6 overall draft pick LaRon Landry, a safety from LSU.
Packers: Running back Vernand Morency, a projected starter, will be sidelined indefinitely because of a knee injury.
