New Orleans: Saints or Sinners?

Without a doubt, the fans in New Orleans love their Saints team. So much so that sometimes they are blinded by that same love.

On April 30, 2010 a lawsuit was filed in civil court in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana by Geoffrey Santini.

Who is Geoffrey Santini?

For 10 years he was the Director of Security for the New Orleans Saints. That's right for 10 years he performed his job to the best of his ability, and collected a check from them.

This means he was making a little more than that of the average Saints fan, which is reportedly around $100,000.00. Not to mention being a resident of the area before, during, and after the infamous Hurricane Katrina.

He also spent 31 years in law enforcement, an agent with the F.B.I. to be correct.

Why is this important? To those who believe in the truth, and following the law, this is a very important.

The man is truthful.

For those of limited intellect or love blindness, Mr. Santini is the biggest sinner to walk the New Orleans streets.

Why?

Simple, he brought shame by filing a lawsuit against the Super Bowl winning New Orleans Saints.

Does his case have merit?

According to the alleged video, and audio tape, one would think so. Tapes show a member of the staff using team trainer's keys to access the team's drug locker to procure multiple vicodin pills on multiple occasions.

As for those who want to vilify Mr. Santini, you have every right to your own opinion.

For those who make fun of him, call him nothing more than a mall cop or think he was trying to bribe the Saints to stay quiet, you are not entitled to your own facts.

The monetary amount placed with the original lawsuit was for back pay, lost benefits, court cost and lawyer fees. To assume or report differently is just pandering to the lowest common denominator but by no means effective journalism.

So a bit of a run down:

8/30/2009 Santini’s constructive discharge (resign under duress) takes effect

4/28/2010 Saints’ given notice via e-mail of said filing to be executed on 4/29/2010

4/30/2010 Actual suit filed by Santini

5/01/2010 Coach Payton’s statement: “I have reviewed Geoff Santini’s lawsuit and the unwarranted publicity it has received. I have never abused or stolen vicodin or any other medication.”

5/03/2010 Federal authorities admit to DEA having pending investigation

5/12/2010 Lawyer for the Saints Phil Wittman: "The Saints won't settle with Geoffrey Santini and won't be publicly discussing the lawsuit that he filed against the team until it goes to court"

5/13/2010 Santini withdraws lawsuit.

5/13/2010 New Orleans Saints evoke arbitration clause of Santini’s employment contract.

An arbitration clause allows a separate judge to decide the merits of the case without any of the case to be public, which is both positive, and negative for both sides in this issue.

The devil, and the truth are always in the details.