Vick in more trouble with federal officials
The U.S. Department of Labor filed complaints Wednesday accusing suspended NFL star Michael Vick of illegally spending about $1.3 million in pension plan funds for his own benefit, including paying restitution ordered in his dogfighting conspiracy case.
The department filed the complaints in federal district and bankruptcy courts the same day Vick left a federal lockup in Kansas, apparently bound for Virginia to appear at a bankruptcy hearing next week.
The Labor Department said Vick made a series of prohibited transfers from a pension plan sponsored by MV7, a celebrity marketing company owned by the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback.
The filing further complicates Vick’s bankruptcy case, which has gradually moved along in Newport News, Va., while Vick serves a 23-month prison term in the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan.
College basketball
UConn looks into report
Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun said he and the university are looking into a Yahoo! Sports report claiming the school broke NCAA rules during the recruitment of former player Nate Miles.
Yahoo reported that Miles, a 6-7 guard, was given lodging, transportation, meals and representation by agent Josh Nochimson, and a UConn assistant knew about the relationship between the player and the agent. Miles, who never played for UConn, is now at the College of Southern Idaho.
Baseball
Palmeiro in college Hall
Rafael Palmeiro, who infamously wagged his finger at Congress four years ago while denying he used steroids only to test positive a few months later, was elected to the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Palmeiro was one of 10 former players and coaches elected. He starred at Mississippi State from 1983-85 and was the first Triple Crown winner in Southeastern Conference history.
Palmeiro’s college coach, Ron Polk, one of the most outspoken critics of the NCAA and currently a volunteer assistant at UAB, was also among those elected, along with former big leaguers Joe Carter (Wichita State), Darren Dreifort (Wichita State), Kirk Dressendorfer (Texas), Barry Larkin (Michigan), Keith Moreland (Texas) and Todd Walker (LSU).
University of St. Francis coach Gordie Gillespie, who at 82 years old and in his 57th season, has 1,797 wins – the most in college baseball history, and Branch Rickey, a former player and coach at Ohio Wesleyan and Michigan best known for signing Jackie Robinson to a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers, were also elected.
Figure skating
Joubert leads men
France’s Brian Joubert botched his quad combination yet still edged American Evan Lysacek in the short program at the world championships in Los Angeles, bolstered by a more difficult solo jump. Joubert, the 2007 champion, scored 84.40 points, putting him 1.7 ahead of Lysacek going into tonight’s free skate.
Patrick Chan, Canada’s up-and-comer, is third, and the audience thought he deserved better, booing when his marks were posted.
Germany’s Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy won the pairs title late Wednesday night.
NBA
Cavs set victory mark
LeBron James scored 22 points with 11 assists as the host Cleveland Cavaliers set a franchise record with their 58th win – and 10th straight – by beating the New Jersey Nets 98-87.
Magic clinch division: Dwight Howard blocked a potential go-ahead layup by Paul Pierce with 3.8 seconds left, and the Orlando Magic clinched their second straight Southeast Division title with an 84-82 triumph over the Boston Celtics at Orlando, Fla.
Hockey
’Canes win fifth straight
Anton Babchuk scored with 6:01 remaining and the Carolina Hurricanes won their season-high fifth straight game, beating the Ottawa Senators 2-1 at Raleigh, N.C., in a matchup of two of the NHL’s hottest teams.
The Hurricanes matched a club record with their ninth straight victory at home. The Senators were denied a sixth straight win.
Miscellany
Armstrong repaired
Surgeon Doug Elenz inserted a stainless steel plate and 12 screws to stabilize Lance Armstrong’s broken collarbone, two days after the cyclist crashed in the first stage of the Vuelta of Castilla and Leon race in Spain. The seven-time Tour de France champion will be back on his bike in days even though the bone may take eight to 12 weeks to fully mend.
Eury staying: NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick said he has no plans to remove Tony Eury Jr. as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s crew chief despite Earnhardt’s slow start this season.
Ecclestone says 26 cars on F1 grid in 2010: Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone says 26 cars will be on the starting grid next year and a medals system will determine the championship. He said F1’s 2010 regulations would include an Olympic-style medals system, with gold for first place. The driver with the most golds will win the championship.
Senate to hold hearings: A Senate committee will hold hearings to examine antitrust issues involving the Bowl Championship Series.