Thread: FBI Won't Pursue Charges In Vikings' Boat Scandal

Or they could be like that fan that stole the football from Favre while millions of people watched him do it.....he pleaded not guilty. lmao.

I think this stuff will just finish this all off finally and get the team even more unified to show that they are moving on ... It is a shame all of this happened, and all of these people have a lot more to answer to than the law ... hopefully this is a lesson learned and life goes smoothly here on out.

Daunte lied, I remember he said that his name would be cleared at the end of this. How is it he is 1 of four players being charged

"Vikes" wrote:

Thursday, December 15, 2005
Four Vikings charged with party boat misdemeanors

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS -- Quarterback Daunte Culpepper and three other Minnesota Vikings were charged Thursday with three misdemeanors each for taking part in a bawdy boat party earlier this season on Lake Minnetonka.


Culpepper, Bryant McKinnie, Fred Smoot and Moe Williams were charged with indecent conduct, disorderly conduct and lewd or lascivious conduct, according to court papers.


Prosecutor Steve Tallen's decision was based on findings by the Hennepin County sheriff's office, whose investigators reviewed allegations of lewd and drunken behavior aboard a floating party Oct. 6 that involved some Vikings players.


Crew members complained that some people took off their clothes and engaged in public sex acts during the cruise, according to Stephen Doyle, an attorney representing the boat owners, Al & Alma's Supper Club and Charter Cruises in Mound. The crew members identified 17 Vikings among about 90 people on the two boats.


Doyle had said Smoot paid for one of the cruises. Smoot responded by threatening to sue whoever ``put my name in there.'


Reports that some women at the party were paid to come from Minnesota had raised the possibility of federal charges, but U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger said Thursday that no such charges would be brought. Heffelfinger cited insufficient evidence.


That decision, along with sheriff's decision to send the case to Tallen's office, meant any charges would be minor. Tallen is the prosecuting attorney for the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District, which handles nonfelony crimes committed on the big lake just west of Minneapolis.


The boat scandal hit the Vikings when they were already reeling, off to a 1-3 start, and made them the object of national ridicule on late-night TV and cable sports channels. New owner Zygi Wilf, who had been seeking state help for a new stadium, responded forcefully, apologizing to Gov. Tim Pawlenty and other state officials and instituting a new code of conduct.


The team has since recovered on the field and, with quarterback Brad Johnson replacing the injured Culpepper, reeled off six straight wins to become a playoff contender at 8-5.

Why did they mention the winning streak at the end of this article? It has absolutely NOTHING to do with the scandal. Personally, it looks like an underhanded attempt to make Culpepper look like a punk.

I do not think you will see a settlement until after the season, I think the prosecutor will probably plead it down to one count of a lesser charge if they plead guilty. If that does happen, and they plead guilty in the off-season then it will be up to Wilf to decide what his action against the players is. He had said there would be suspensions or termination, and if they wait till after the season then they can suspend them at the start of next season.

I usually only post when I have something to say
Here is my view- They are professionals.

Everyone who went to college partied around a keg or got drunk in some way or fashion. Some of us even received underage drinking, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, and/ or urinating in public citations. BTW these are all ordinance violations and not state charges.

As professionals they brought it to another level. They hired "talent" and boat cruises. They also received a little more significant charges.

My point is that if anyone could have afforded it while in college, they would be doing the same thing. Instead of Spring Break, its a Bye week.

As far as suspensions or fines- its not like they were charged with obstructing justice in a murder case. (AKA Ray Lewis). I think a fine is enough of a punishment. Its not like they will ever do this again. Worse case if they are suspended the only one that hurts the Vikings is McKinnie.

My only advice- next year go to Nevada, where that crap is legal!

Since I am ranting- if anyone pulls the role model/ higher standard crap, athletes are not role models. PARENTS are role models.

steven doyle should be beaten to a pulp. Who cares it was a misdemeanor charge, Smoot and Mckinnie shouldnt be benched for this. I really cant beleive Culpepper would do such a thing. I respected him alot and thought he was a family man, but I guess I was wrong.

I am very surprised that Pep and Moe were charged. I didn't think that either of them would have even been on the boat. This could ruin culpeppers marriage and make this season even worse for him.

I think the FBI needs to focus on catching murderers, rapists, tax evaders, and politicians who lie and steel. Now that would take up all their time.

Just like politicians need to focus on how to help the poor in our country instead of trying to get free publicity supporting a filthy rich NFL football star like Terrell Owens. The guy makes millions of dollars a year. I have no sympathy for him.

Wow, a rant!

just like i said the whole thing was blown out of proportion