Super Bowl Coaches, Not Exactly Saints
On April 30, 2010, a lawsuit was filed by Geoffrey Santini, a plaintiff, his former employer the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints.
Santini, a former FBI agent, claims that he has evidence (maybe by video) that implicates Saints Head Coach Sean Payton and Saints’ Assistant Coach Joe Vitt in a scheme to improperly take Vicodin from the Saint’s controlled drug locker. Santini alleges that Payton and Vitt make have used or distributed Vicodin in the organization. The allegations seem to focus more on Vitt’s conduct than Payton’s. Neither Vitt or Payton are named as defendants in this case.
This is a classic “whistleblower” lawsuit, as Santini says he was forced to resign his position as Saint’s security director when he refused to falsify documents and participate in a cover-up of theft of Vicodin. This type of alleged unauthorized distribution of a controlled drug like Vicodin is a violation of federal law
We understand that the DEA is now investigating Santini’s allegations. As a former FBI agent, it is reasonable to assume that he collected evidence against the Saints and has turned it over to the Feds.
We are going to handle this important case with caution. These are only mere allegations and a complaint is proof of nothing. However, if the DEA makes arrests of Vitt or Payton (or anyone else in the Saints organization) and obtains a conviction, Santini has all the proof he needs. We will be following this one very closely.
My name is Christopher Fusco. I am the managing partner of Callahan & Fusco, LLC with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.