Vick Faced With Unfeasibly Large Lawsuit

The fortunes of Michael Vick, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback, could hardly have got much worse. Currently facing federal charges related to his alleged involvement in dog fighting, Vick has been asked not to attend pre-season training by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell while the league conducts a review of the indictment. If found guilty of the charges against him, he faces up to six years in jail and a $350,000 fine.

After this week's events, however, that fine could be the very least of his worries. Jonathan Lee Riches, an inmate at the Williamsburg Federal Correctional facility in South Carolina, has filed a $63bn lawsuit against Vick to the US District Court in Richmond, Virginia. Riches, who is serving time for wire fraud, alleges that Vick stole two white pitbull terriers from him, used them in illegal dogfights and then sold the dogs on eBay.

Riches also alleges that the proceeds from the sale were used by Vick to buy missiles from the Iranian government. The missiles were purchased, Riches alleges, because on February 10 2007, Vick pledged allegiance to al-Qaida.

In the lawsuit, it is also claimed that Vick stole Riches' identity, and used it to sell branded merchandise bearing Riches' name, including shirts and mugs. He ends his claim with the remark: "Michael Vick needs to stop physically hurting my feelings and dashing my hopes."

The $63bn is requested to be "backed by silver and gold" and delivered by UPS to the front gates of the facility. Vick has, as yet, been unavailable for comment.

For a full transcript of the lawsuit, click here.