RICHMOND, Va. -- Suspended NFL quarterback Michael Vick has been temporarily removed from federal prison in Kansas in order to appear at a bankruptcy hearing in Newport News, Va.Vick was at the Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City on Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Felicia Ponce said. The bureau's Web site simply listed Vick as being "in transit'' and Ponce said she could not disclose the inmate's ultimate destination until he arrives.
It was not clear when Vick left the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan. Two weeks ago, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank Santoro demanded that Vick testify at an April 2 hearing in Newport News about whether his Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan should be confirmed.
Another judge issued a court order directing federal marshals to bring the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback to Virginia for the hearing. It was unclear how long Vick would be at the Oklahoma facility and when he might arrive in Virginia.
Vick is serving 23 months for bankrolling a dogfighting conspiracy. He is eligible to move into home confinement no earlier than May 21 and is scheduled to be released from custody July 20.
Vick will likely be kept in a southeastern Virginia jail until the hearing, but it wasn't known which one. Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan said he had not been notified that Vick would be staying in the city jail, but it was possible Vick and federal marshals would show up unannounced.
Latest Michael Vick Images
** FILE ** In this Aug. 27, 2007 file photo, Atlanta Falcons football player Michael Vick leaves federal court after pleading guilty to a dogfighting charge in Richmond, Va. Suspended NFL star Michael Vick has left a federal lockup in Kansas, apparently bound for Virginia for a bankruptcy hearing next week. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons Web site shows that Vick is no longer at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan. It lists his status as "in transit." (AP Photo/Steve Helber, Pool, File)
AP
** FILE ** This is an Aug. 27, 2007, file photo showing Michael Vick. Vick's house is still available. No one made an offer on the luxury home in suburban Atlanta at an auction Tuesday March 10,l 2009. A minimum bid of $3.2 million was required, but only two parties showed up and neither brought the $160,000 payment that was needed just to start the auction. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
AP
** FILE ** This March 5, 2009 file photo shows the home of former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, in Duluth, Ga. No one made an offer on the luxury home in suburban Atlanta at an auction Tuesday March 10,l 2009. A minimum bid of $3.2 million was required, but only two parties showed up and neither brought the $160,000 payment that was needed just to start the auction. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
AP
The home of former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick stands in Duluth, Ga., on Thursday, March 5, 2009. The home is scheduled to be put up for auction on Tuesday. The minimum bid is $3.2 million. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
AP
A sitting room in the home of former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick in Duluth, Ga., is seen Thursday, March 5, 2009. The home is scheduled to be put up for auction on Tuesday. The minimum bid is $3.2 million. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
AP
The enterance to the home of former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick in Duluth, Ga., is seen Thursday, March 5, 2009. The home is scheduled to be put up for auction on March 10. The minimum bid is $3.2 million. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
AP
A sitting room in the home of former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick in Duluth, Ga., is shown Thursday, March 5, 2009. The home is scheduled to be put up for auction on Tuesday The minimum bid is $3.2 million. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
AP
** FILE ** This is an Aug. 27, 2007 file photo showing Michael Vick shaking hands with his lawyer, Billy Martin, left, as he arrives at federal court in Richmond, Va. Others are unidentified. A government official says imprisoned NFL star Michael Vick has been approved for release to home confinement. Vick's lawyers have said they expected him to be moved any day into a halfway house in Newport News, Va. But the official says there's no bed space, so Vick could be released to his Hampton, Va. home as soon as May 21st. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
AP
** FILE ** In this July 26, 2007 file photo, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, right, is escorted by U.S. Marshalls as he leaves the federal courthouse in Richmond, Va., following his arraignment. A government official says imprisoned NFL star Michael Vick has been approved for release to home confinement. Vick's lawyers have said they expected him to be moved any day into a halfway house in Newport News, Va. But the official says there's no bed space, so Vick could be released to his Hampton, Va. home as soon as May 21st. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, Pool/File)
AP
** FILE ** This is a Nov. 19, 2006 file photo showing Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick gritting his teeth as he applies pressure to his throwing hand after hurting it during the first half of their football game against the Baltimore Ravens, in Baltimore. A government official says imprisoned NFL star Michael Vick has been approved for release to home confinement. Vick's lawyers have said they expected him to be moved any day into a halfway house in Newport News, Va. But the official says there's no bed space, so Vick could be released to his Hampton, Va. home as soon as May 21st. (AP Photo/Chris Gardner, File)
AP
The judge overseeing Vick's bankruptcy case rejected the idea of allowing testimony by video hookup, saying he needed Vick in the courtroom so he could assess his demeanor and credibility.
Vick's plan for paying his creditors is based largely on his intention to resume his NFL career. Vick was suspended indefinitely after his 2007 indictment, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he will review Vick's status after he is released.
The Falcons still hold the contract rights to Vick but have said they will try to trade him. Vick's bankruptcy plan would allow him to keep the first $750,000 of his annual pay. After that, a percentage would go to his creditors based on a sliding scale.
- Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-26-2009 @ 7:38AM
bkind7x said...
This article is what I call a news report, factual, relevant news and non-discriminative.
We actually got a real picture and sense of time in this article. Where we are today, where we were yesterday, and we can look foward to a tomorrow. Thanks newsman.
Reply