New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning fraud trial began on Monday and it’s quite possible he will have to take the stand to testify at some point if there is no settlement reached in the case.
New York Giant and two-time Super Bowl Champion Eli Manning’s reputation will be questioned as his fraud trial began on Monday.
Eli Manning's fraud trial starts today https://t.co/tzXSGzj9Kt pic.twitter.com/jBrLA0KPBS
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 14, 2018
Eli Manning is accused of providing non-game used helmets for sale as certified game-worn helmets. Manning has denied that he has done anything wrong.
Jury selection for the trial will begin on Monday as attorneys for both sides will attempt to find jurors who can be impartial to the trial process. This is expected to take one day to complete.
Should the two sides not reach some sort of a settlement, it is expected that Manning will have to take the stand and testify. A monetary decision is not what concerns the Giants and Manning. The NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy could be the worst part of a failed trial for the quarterback.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk broke down the conduct policy as it would pertain to Eli Manning.
The NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy specifically prohibits “[c]rimes of dishonesty such as blackmail, extortion, fraud, money laundering, or racketeering.” (Emphasis added.) More generally, the policy forbids “[c]onduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL personnel.”
Manning has claimed no wrongdoing, but the plaintiff supposedly has a smoking gun to prove the fraud by Manning. An email sent from Manning to the Giants equipment manager in 2010 states that Manning asked for two helmets that could pass as game used. Manning was selling the helmets through world-renowned memorabilia dealer Steiner Sports.
The plaintiff’s lawyer Brian Burke believes this email will prove that Manning knowingly committed fraud by asking for these helmets from the team’s equipment manager.
The defendants in the case include not only Manning and Steiner Sports but also the Giants, the team’s equipment manager and others.
