Vicodin case could have dire consequences for Saints

[madinmaryland]

We begin this morning with a headache of headaches for the New Orleans Saints, a story the team has fervently denied but one that isn't going away soon unless the Drug Enforcement Administration makes it go away.

The story involves the dispensation and alleged theft of 130 Vicodin tablets from the Saints' drug locker at the team's offices and training facility in New Orleans over a four-month period early in 2009. A lawsuit filed by discharged former Saints' security director Geoffrey Santini, a former FBI agent, describes the recipients of the Vicodin as "Senior Staff Member A'' and "Senior Staff Member B,'' and profootballtalk.com reported Saturday that coach Sean Payton is Senior Staff Member A, with assistant head coach Joe Vitt Senior Staff Member B.

I've read the 13-page lawsuit, filed Friday in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Mike Florio of profootballtalk.com reported that Santini sought a $2 million settlement to not file the suit last week and the Saints didn't respond. I'm told the Saints turned over all evidence in the case to the DEA in June and have been waiting for a decision in the case ever since. On Friday, the Saints said the lawsuit had no merit, and that Santini, in effect, had shopped the lawsuit to them before filing it. On Saturday, after the profootballtalk.com report, Payton said, "I have never abused or stolen Vicodin or any other medication.''

The allegations in Santini's suit, in essence, include these: Vitt had a medical problem that required the use of pain-killers and he was being prescribed Vicodin to help him deal with the condition; Payton didn't have a medical condition that required pain-killers but was using them. Santini, additionally, said Saints general manager Mickey Loomis covered up Payton's use of Vicodin while trying to protect Vitt from being prosecuted for stealing additional Vicodin.

Every NFL team has to account for the prescription drugs it dispenses. The training staff keeps medication under lock and key and distributes it only after a team doctor or trainer prescribes it. Apparently, Vitt was being prescribed Vicodin -- it's possible that Payton, at some point, may have been taking it for a time too, as prescribed. The lawsuit makes it clear that in January through April 2009, a theft of approximately 110 Vicodin tablets occurred from the drug locker. Santini's suit says Loomis directed that a hidden camera be installed in the trainer's room, so any further theft of Vicodin could be captured on video.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/05/02/offseason/index.html

Hmmm. Wonder where this will lead to?

[Auggie]

1. 130 Vicodin tablets -- BFD

Sounds like a non-story to me. Then again, media is so quick to sensationalize even the smallest news that I'm not surprised.

[madinmaryland]

2. I believe it is a felony and a federal crime. It should be a big deal.

[Auggie]

3. Santini sought a $2 million settlement to not file the suit

This smells.

"The consequences could be dire for several people -- Loomis, if he's found to have covered up a felony theft of prescription medication; Vitt, if he's found guilty of stealing Vicodin; the trainers, if they're found culpable; and Payton, if he's found to have taken Vicodin without a prescription. Of course, the consequences could be just as dire for Santini if counter-claims by the Saints reveal the story he has told is exaggerated or invented.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/05/02/offseason/index.html#ixzz0mstrt81P

Okay, it's a big deal. Though one would think the DEA had bigger fish to fry.

[trumad]

5. I always thought the old "DEA had bigger fish to fry" was a lame excuse.

A law is a law.... and if you get caught--- oh well.

[Auggie]

7. 130 Vicodin tablets... if it was a couple of joints we'd be

complaining how ridiculous it was

[bluedigger]

4. Where's the video?

"Santini's suit says Loomis directed that a hidden camera be installed in the trainer's room, so any further theft of Vicodin could be captured on video."

Belichick would of had it.

Just sayin'...
:rofl:

[Earth Bound Misfit]

6. Heh heh.

BeliCHEAT would've had it.
:P

[KamaAina]

8. Well, if Payton gets fired, he could always do sports talk radio

they could put him on WWL right after Rush. :evilgrin: