DEA Investigating Saints' Vicodin Abuse Lawsuit, Sean Payton Denies All Allegations

Former Saints Security Director Withdraws Lawsuit, Case Goes To Arbitration

Geoffrey Santini, former Saints security director, filed a civil lawsuit against the Saints last week for "theft and improper distribution" of Vicodin pills. The two men involved were assistant coach Joe Vitt and head coach Sean Payton.

A week after the filing, the Saints have exercised a clause in Santini's employment contract with the team that will send the case to arbitration rather than duking it out in civil court.

One big difference here is that sending the case to arbitration does not allow either side to publicly discuss the case.

Somehow I think leaks will get out anyway.

Saints Owner, Coaches Support Sean Payton In Vicodin Scandal

Sean Payton said over the weekend he has yet to address the vicodin scandal surrounding him and assistant coach Joe Vitt with his players. In a media session at Saints minicamp over the weekend, he avoided many of the questions reporters shot at him regarding the allegations that he was taking enough vicodin from the team to constitute abuse.

Just because Payton's not talking, doesn't mean he's not being supported in the building. 

Team sources say Payton has the full support of owner Tom Benson. He also has the support of his players and staff, even though he said he hasn't formally addressed the suit with the team. He stressed it would not be a distraction to his players or his coaching staff in its mission to defend their Super Bowl title.    

Having the support of the owner is important right now because it seemingly puts everyone at ease. A guilty verdict may change folks' minds on this one but, for now, Payton and Co. have a supporting staff.

Read up on all things Saints at Canal Street Chronicles.

Saints Should 'Prepare For The Worst, Hope For The Best'

SB Nation's Saints blog, Canal Street Chronicles, takes a long look at the legal investigation involving two members of the Saints coaching staff, most notably Sean Payton.

CSC feels that this might just be the "tip of the iceberg" and more information could be revealed as the legal process plays out. And, to make matters worse for the Saints, theplaintiff isn't exactly some "average Joe".

What should have Saints fans worried is that this isn't just some average Joe off the street filing this lawsuit and making these accusations. Santini is a retired FBI agent who spent four years taking down former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards and even testifying against the governor and his brother in court. He was so deeply involved that Edwards was accused of attempting to have Santini's phone lines wiretapped in 1998 because Edwards wanted to know ''what's happening, what he thinks, and what he believes.'' He is no amateur and by comparison, the NFL is probably child's play.      

Check out the full article at Canal Street Chronicles.

DEA Looking Into Vicodin Abuse Allegations Against Saints

Sean Payton might say that the allegations against him and a fellow coach regarding Vicodin-abuse are false,but the DEA is looking into the matter just the same according to the AP.

“The DEA was referred this case and there is a pending investigation,” said Special Agent Roberto Bryan Jr., a New Orleans-based spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“It hasn’t been turned into a criminal investigation as of yet,” Fortunato said.

Of course what many are waiting to see is whether or not Roger Goodell gets involved or makes a comment on the matter. Neither looks like for the moment, at least until the DEA or the courts make a decision first.

New Orleans Saints blog Canal Street Chronicles will be keeping track of the entire ordeal.

Sean Payton Denies Vicodin Abuse Alleged In Lawsuit Against Saints

Bizarre news out of New Orleans today, as the reigning Super Bowl champion Saints are the target of a constructive discharge (or, basically, coerced resignation) lawsuit from the team's former head of security. At the heart of the issue is an alleged theft of a substantial amount of Vicodin from the team's drug locker:

Former Saints director of security Geoffrey Santini [...] alleges that G.M. Mickey Loomis attempted to cover up evidence that Vicodin was being abused and/or stolen from the team drug locker by two senior staff members.

The lawsuit does not name the two senior staff members. Per the initial filing, Saints trainer Scottie Patton told Santini that one of the unnamed employees has a "painful medical condition," and that the other one does not.

Based on extensive discussions with multiple sources having knowledge of the situation but who have requested anonymity given the sensitive nature of the case, the two unnamed senior staff members are assistant head coach/linebackers coach Joe Vitt and head coach Sean Payton.

Per the lawsuit, "Senior Staff Member A" (i.e., Payton) allegedly was receiving sufficient Vicodin to constitute abuse. The lawsuit does not specifically allege that "Senior Staff Member A" was stealing the pills.

The Saints, predictably, are hitting back hard at the lawsuit; here's what they told the New Orleans Times-Picayune on Friday:

"A former employee who resigned just before the 2009 regular season threatened to go public with these unfounded charges unless we agreed to pay him an exorbitant sum of money," said Greg Bensel, vice president of communications for the Saints. "We refused, and now he has gone public. We will aggressively defend these false allegations in court."

Further, Payton released his own statement today, and it's similarly unambiguous:

"I have reviewed Geoff Santini's lawsuit and the unwarranted publicity it has received," Payton says in a statement provided to us by the Saints. "I have never abused or stolen vicodin or any other medication and I fully support the Saints' position in this matter as expressed by Greg Bensel yesterday.‬ "

Our New Orleans Saints blog, Canal Street Chronicles, has a comprehensive rundown of the lawsuit and the allegations therein. Upon a cursory glance, it looks far worse for Vitt than Payton. If the allegations are verifiable, though, both men would likely find themselves in a mountain of trouble.