Former National Football League player will spend 15 months in jail for fraud

Fort Lauderdale : FL : USA | Oct 27, 2012 at 1:44 PM PDT

By George Vieto

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Fort Lauderdale Florida. Michael Bennett, 34, a former first round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2002 was sentenced to 15 months in prison in a federal court in Fort Lauderdale Florida for participating in a fraud scheme. Bennett entered a guilty plea in court in July.

Bennett played for six teams in his eight years in the National Football League with the last team he played for was with the Oakland Raiders in 2010.

Prosecutors said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ordered an undercover check covering store in North Miami from February through April. The group of suspects allegedly checked about $500,000 in false tax refund checks.

Former New York Giants and Oakland Raiders defensive tackle William Joesph and former Syracuse University football player Louis Gacheline also pled guilty to related charges and are awaiting their sentences in court.

It is shame that sports stars who made money playing a sport they love resort to criminal activity after careers ends.

News sources Associated Press and SI.com

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National Football League player Michael Vick

George Vieto is based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States of America, and is a Reporter for Allvoices.

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Post a Comment Comments: 11

Posted By

Anthony Bloch | 7 months ago

How to squander your life away, NFL style.

Reply By

George Vieto | 7 months ago

That is true. It is a shame that a few sports stars become criminals after their careers come to an end.

Posted By

Martin Kloess | 7 months ago

Thank you for this.

Reply By

George Vieto | 7 months ago

Thank you Martin for your kind words of support.

Posted By

Nina Rai | 7 months ago

Was Michael Vick despite being a ex National
Football League player so strapped for cash
that he had to indulge in this kind of fraud.
Really a sad state of affairs...Thanks for
the report. ^

Reply By

George Vieto | 7 months ago

That is true Nina. And the media make fun of Tim Tebow because he tries to live a God fearing life? You do the math.

Posted By

hmtis | 7 months ago

Thanks for sharing.
Well reported Deepizzaguy.
rated up, FB like and tweeted.

Reply By

George Vieto | 7 months ago

Thank you for your kind comments of support.

Posted By

hmtis | 7 months ago

Thanks for sharing.
Well reported Deepizzaguy.
rated up, FB like and tweeted.

Posted By

cfmurray755 | 7 months ago

Nina, Let's clear up a couple of things. Michael Vick isn't an "ex NFL player" He's still playing for Philadelphia. Number 2, he wasn't involved with this at all(at least according to the article). Unfortunately though, this kind of thing happens in all walks of life. I'm not condoning it by any means. But it happens... As for George's comment, I agree with him. What's so bad about doing what Tim Tebow does? Is it that repugnant to the press, that they have to make fun of him? They don't have to be as overt as Tebow is, but if they follow a Christian faith, it wouldn't hurt them to follow it a little more closely.

Posted By

George Vieto | 7 months ago

cfmurray Michael might be benched in favor of a rookie quarterback this Monday when the Eagles travel to New Orleans (gasp) to play the Saints on Monday Night Football since Andy Reid is in hot water for not winning enough games. About Tim Tebow notice the media does not like anyone who is God fearing saying they are not real macho men or women. Tim should do his praying in a private room on the field.

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