Bucks may be on hold for 2005
September 24, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Houma Bayou Bucks News Release
Houma, La. â Sudo Properties, Inc., parent company of the Bayou Bucks football team, has filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government. The suit accuses TPCG of illegal acts spanning a three year period. The Bayou Bucks owners and their attorneys, Berwick Duval and Stan Duval of Duval, Funderburk, Sundbery, Lovell & Watkins, met with Terrebonne parish officials prior to filing the lawsuit. Efforts to continue negotiating a 2005 contract with the Houma Terrebonne Civic Center have been put on hold until the suit is resolved.
After months of investigation by Sudo Properties, it was discovered that the initial purchase of the Bayou Bucks football team was performed under fraudulent tactics, and that this misconduct continued for three years. The centerpiece of the arguments brought forth by the owners includes alleged violations of the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act of 1971.
RICO violations, specifically racketeering and fraud and violation of the Federal Securities Exchange Act of 1935 are only a few of the charges being made against TPCG. Some of the evidence gathered from open meetings included comments from the former director of the Houma Terrebonne Civic Center about the manner in which she lured potential investors into investing in the Bayou Bucks as well as statements about the manner in which she reported profits and losses from various events held at the Civic Center.
On Wednesday, August18, 2004, Terrebonne parish administrators and legal counsel were made aware of the above allegations and provided with evidence to backup some of the claims being made by the Bayou Bucks. Administrative officials and legal counsel for the parish were given adequate time to resolve this matter amicably. However, the Buck's owners were informed that parish officials were "simply not interested" in negotiating with the Bayou Bucks. This left the Bucks with no alternative but to file suit against Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government.
The Bayou Bucks would like to express their sincere thanks to all of their fans, sponsors, and supporters. It is deplorable that the Bucks were left with no other option but to pursue this course of action. Through all of this discord, however, the Bayou Bucks are proud to have completed three successful years on the football field. Two of these years included berths in the NIFL playoffs, and this past season, the team secured the 2004 Atlantic South Division Championship.
Team members and staff have made significant contributions to the quality of life in Terrebonne parish by volunteering their time and participating in numerous nonprofit organizations and events throughout Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes. The Bayou Bucks organization has also been instrumental in reducing the financial burden that the Houma Terrebonne Civic Center has been on the TPCG budget through the monies the Bucks have paid in rental fees, concession sales, percentage of ticket sales, etc. The Bucks have an additional economic impact on Terrebonne parish through the sales and payroll taxes it pays and the housing, food and utilities it supplies for the team members and coaching staff.
The continued uncertainty of the Bucks future in Terrebonne Parish has been frustrating for the team's owners. It is an unfortunate situation for everyone involved with the team, but most of all, for the team's loyal fans. If there is no immediate resolution, the Bayou Bucks owners will have no choice but to pursue selling the franchise.
The National Indoor Football League President, Carolyn Shiver was put on notice regarding the possibilities of the Buck's future. There is a clause in the franchise's operating agreement that gives the team an option of "not playing for one season". The Bayou Bucks have executed this option. If this situation can be resolved prior to the 2005 season scheduling which takes place in November, the Bayou Bucks could in fact play in 2005.
Additional information regarding the future status of the Bayou Bucks football team, along with pertinent updates on the lawsuit, will be made available to our fans and other interested parties via the Buck's website www.bayoubucks.com.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from September 24, 2004
- Owners head to league meetings - Lakeland ThunderBolts
- Storm Adds New Assistant General Manager Michael Grego to Front Office - Sioux Falls Storm
- Bucks may be on hold for 2005 - Houma Bayou Bucks
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