What 7 Does On His Summer Vacation...?

((HT: AJC))

Jeremy Redmon has found out what Seven is going to be doing on his time out of prison...

Construction work...

No, that's not a misprint- according to his lawyer...

Michael Vick’s agent testified in bankruptcy court today that he expects the NFL to reinstate the imprisoned and suspended Falcons quarterback — hopefully by September for the 2009 season.

Joel Segal also confirmed that he has had several discussions with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about the matter. Segal added Vick ((pictured, AJC file/Ben Gray)) is capable of delivering on what Goodell wants to see before considering his reinstatement: true contrition for the actions he took that landed him in prison on federal charges related to dogfighting.

“Sometimes back then, Mike didn’t listen to the right people,” Segal testified. But Segal added Vick is “absolutely, completely different” and now shows “true remorse” for his actions. Segal said Vick has been staying in shape and predicted he could get a multi-million dollar contract with incentives, if he is reinstated in the NFL. Segal said Vick wants to join a team with “strong management” and “veteran leaders.”

“I expect him to play in the National Football League,” Segal said.

Additionally, Segal testified that Vick has agreed to participate in a television documentary for about $600,000. The offer came from a company in Atlanta called Red Bird Entertainment. Vick’s attorneys put Segal on the stand because Vick’s plan to climb out of bankruptcy partly depends on him rejoining the league.

Vick, who is nearing the end of a 23-month federal prison sentence for his role in the dogfighting conspiracy, is hoping to earn as much as $10 million a year or more, according to court filings in his bankruptcy case. Under the plan he submitted to the court, Vick would keep the first $750,000 of his annual income over the next five years. After that, a percentage would go to his creditors based on a sliding scale.

The NFL suspended Vick indefinitely in 2007 after the details of his plea deal in the dogfighting case became public.

Vick is expected to testify in court today for several hours. His attorney, Michael Blumenthal, said Vick has already been offered a job to work at a local construction company for an hourly wage at 40 hours a week once he leaves prison to finish his sentence on home confinement. The Associated Press reported that Newport News-based W.M. Jordan Co. is offering to pay him $10 an hour to do a commercial construction job.

“He is going to turn a new leaf,” Blumenthal said. “He has learned from what occurred in his life.”

Vick was led into the courtroom this morning here just before 10 a.m. He wore a gray suit and has slight sideburns, a mustache and a goatee. He turned around several times from the table where he sat beside his attorneys, smiling and waiving at his mother, Brenda Boddie, and fiancée, Kijafa Frink. Boddie responded by smiling and quietly saying, “My baby.” and “We love you.”

Attorneys for one of Vick’s creditors, Joel Enterprises, are planning to call Boddie and Frink as witnesses today. Those attorneys wheeled 11 boxes of documents into the courtroom this morning as dozens of journalists and more than 10 Newport News police officers looked on.

As Vick quietly watched in court this morning, his team of bankruptcy attorneys made substantial progress in settling objections filed by key creditors. Blumenthal outlined proposed settlements with the Internal Revenue Service and the Virginia Department of Taxation. The two taxing agencies, which filed objections to Vick’s plan to emerge from bankruptcy, have said Vick owes $696,930 combined in back federal and state taxes, penalties and interest.

Blumenthal also highlighted a proposed agreement with the U.S. Labor Department, which has accused Vick of illegally spending about $1.3 million in pension plan funds for his own benefit, including paying his bankruptcy attorney and restitution ordered as part of his conviction on federal dogfighting charges.

Vick’s attorneys said they are also working with the regional office of the U.S. trustee to settle its objections to Vick’s plan.

But one of Vick’s biggest hurdles remains — an objection from Joel Enterprises, which says Vick owes about $4.5 million. Andrew Joel, a Richmond sports agent, filed a lawsuit against Vick in 2006 claiming he reneged on an endorsement deal.

The company filed another complaint last month, alleging Vick transferred property and cash to relatives and friends in the year before he filed for bankruptcy to defraud his creditors. The complaint also alleges that Vick misrepresented his assets.

Blumenthal said the case has been difficult to resolve, especially because Vick is serving a 23-month federal prison sentence for his role in the dogfighting conspiracy.

“I have to admit this is probably the hardest case I have had in my career,” Blumenthal said.

Federal authorities transported Vick to the courtroom from his prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, last week. He is expected to return to Leavenworth after his bankruptcy trial ends tomorrow. The suspended NFL star, however, is due to be released to home confinement at his house in Hampton, Virginia, on May 21.

Here's Andy Fox and coverage from our friends at WAVY-TV