Posted on 12/15/2005 10:04:57 AM PST by wallcrawlr
A prosecutor has charged four Minnesota Vikings players with three misdemeanors apiece in connection with a bawdy boat party earlier this season on Lake Minnetonka.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
ping
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.
The court papers released Thursday said Smoot and defensive end Lance Johnstone arranged the charter.
Vikings coach Mike Tice was careful with his reaction.
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.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051215/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_vikings_boat_party
What are props? Some form of gutter slang, or a football term I am unaware of?
"To date no one has been able to identify the women on the boat."
From the press conference.
Go here for more info:
http://www.kstp.com/
Click on VIDEO
Also
http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/S12783.html?cat=1
Props = proper respect due them for their aptitude (I think)
Similar conduct got two captains with 2/77 Armor Article 15s while attending a battalion 'Dining In' (not an 'Eating Out') at the North Fort Lewis Officers Club around '77-78. Got the BN CO relieved by the 9th Div CG when the CG showed up in hi PJs after being contacted by the MPs who were called by the Club Manager.
Back in those days, topless dancers at happy hour at the O'Clubs was pretty much the accepted norm.
You don't think they should have been charged?
In a case like this, I suspect the charges would have been less serious if not involving NFL players. Chances are the boat owners would have just turned the boats around and told the passengfers to get off.
I doubt it. Can you imagine the number of players breathing deep sighs of relief at not having been named?
Sullying the placid blue waters of Lake Minnetonka, just imagine. This isn't the Minnesota I remember.
I doubt anyone would have even been charged if they weren't NFL players. Being a professional athlete may have its benefits in some areas, but they are certainly penalized in the realm of law enforcement.
I'm saying that there were probably some political calclulations in determining the specific charges, the timing, and who announced the charges. I noticed that it was Klobuchar's deputy who is the public face for this prosecution.
The Smoking Gun has details:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1215051vikings1.html
I don't know who arranged this little outing. It may have been an agent or, if a player, one other than these four. However, all of the early reports indicated that some of the "entertainers" on the boat were flown in from other states (including Georgia).
The good 'ole Mann Act is still on the books, 18 U.S.C. Section 2421:
Whoever knowingly transports any individual in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any Territory or Possession of the United States, with intent that such individual engage in prostitution, or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
Somebody could be looking at time in jail. Given that (a) these are professional athletes and (b) the virtue of these women was unlikely soiled by the experience, I don't think we'll be looking at indictments.
Chuck Berry spent about four years in prison (1959-1963) on a Mann Act conviction involving a 14 year-old minor. If he hadn't already been robbed of much of his claim to the title of the Father of Rock and Roll by virtue of his pigmentation, he lost a great deal of the rest of it by disappearing from view for four years. Boxer Jack Johnson spent a year in jail on a Mann Act charge as well -- but don't get me wrong, whites, including white celebrities (Charlie Chaplin, Frank Lloyd Wright) have been the target of Mann Act charges. The most famous violator, however, was Chuck Berry.
Shook hands with him in a rental car lot at the Austin, TX airport once and found out one of the reasons he can play some of the licks he can. Huge hands and long fingers; it seemed like my entire hand barely filled his palm. Oh my, but that little country boy could play!!
funny that when Smoot and Culpuppy leave, they start winning like crazy...
When were there ever not political calculations in determining the specific charges?
The question is: did those political calculations result in the wrong charge being filed?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.