Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick "almost exclusively" financed the dogfighting and gambling operations based at his Surry County house, a co-defendant in a federal dogfighting case says.

Tony Taylor, 34, of Hampton, included that statement in court papers filed yesterday along with his guilty plea to federal charges.

Taylor, Vick, 27, and Quanis L. Phillips, 28, also of Atlanta -- all defendants in a federal criminal case alleging an illegal gambling and dogfighting conspiracy -- founded Bad Newz Kennels in 2001, the statement says. Also charged in the indictment is Purnell A. Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach.

Vick has denied any involvement in dogfighting.

A statement filed with Taylor's guilty plea in U.S. District Court in Richmond early yesterday suggests that Vick, who is paid millions by the Falcons and makes millions more from commercial endorsements, did not take a share of the gambling proceeds.

"When Bad Newz Kennels won a fight, the gambling proceeds were generally split by Taylor, Phillips and sometimes Peace," Taylor's statement says.

Taylor needed his share of the winnings for living expenses, according to the statement, since he devoted his time at Vick's property in Surry County to training American pit bulls for fighting. The house and outbuildings for training fighting dogs were built as the home of Bad Newz Kennels, he said.

Vick and his three co-defendants were indicted July 17 on a charge of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of illegal gambling and dogfighting.

All four pleaded not guilty at arraignment Thursday, but before the end of the next day, Taylor's plea agreement hearing was on the Monday morning docket for Judge Henry E. Hudson. Taylor pleaded guilty as charged in the indictment.

Taylor arrived at the federal courthouse downtown yesterday shortly after 8 a.m. with his lawyer, Stephen Hudgins of Newport News. He stepped out of a black Nissan Altima that pulled up at the Main Street curb and, without speaking, walked past the local and out-of-town journalists who had gathered to cover the hearing.

As Taylor arrived, four young women thrust identical cardboard signs above their heads. The signs bore the slogans "Prosecute All Dogfighters" and "Justice For All Victims," a photo of a heavily chained and apparently abused fighting dog and the logo of People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals, which is based in Virginia Beach.

About 30 people, mostly reporters, filled the courtroom gallery and a handful of sketch artists sat in the jury box.

The hearing lasted 16 minutes, according to the court clerk. Taylor wore a short-sleeved sport shirt with the collar open and sharply creased, cuffed olive slacks. He said little beyond "guilty" and "yes" to the judge's questions.

A conviction could mean up to five years in prison for each defendant. Taylor's guilty plea, and his plea agreement with the U.S. attorney's office, promises nothing about sentencing. Hudson scheduled Taylor's sentencing for Dec. 14.

The plea agreement calls for Taylor "to cooperate fully and truthfully with the United States," including sharing everything he knows and testifying when required. The prosecution retains the right to ask for a reduced sentence for Taylor, which is usually the reward for such cooperation.

The assistant U.S. attorneys prosecuting the case, Michael R. Gill and Brian L. Whisler, declined to comment after court yesterday. Hudgins and Taylor left the courthouse together and did not respond to questions. Hudgins did not return phone messages or respond to an e-mail from the newspaper yesterday.

Prosecutors said in court last week they expect to file a new indictment by the end of August, potentially with additional charges that would not apply to Taylor. A tentative trial date for the remaining defendants has been set for Nov. 26.

Portions of the 13-page summary of facts Taylor signed are taken from the indictment. They outline specific dogfights in which all four defendants, including Vick, allegedly took part.

During the summer of 2002, Taylor's statement says, he killed two dogs that had not measured up as fighters during test fights that all four defendants conducted. He shot one dog and electrocuted the other. Peace and Phillips each killed at least one dog that summer, the statement says.

Vick was told by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to stay away from the Falcons' training camp, which began last week on the same day Vick and the other defendants pleaded not guilty.
Contact Tom Campbell at (804) 649-6416 or tcampbell@timesdispatch.com.

Contact Julian Walker at (804) 649-6831 or jwalker@timesdispatch.com.