Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf will get their new stadium. But they’ll also potentially be writing a huge check for something other than concrete or bricks or mortar or FieldTurf.
According to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, the Wilfs have been ordered to pay at least $84 million in a fraud case arising from a New Jersey real estate deal that dates back to 1992.
And it could get worse. Much worse. The verdict includes an award of punitive damages, which requires the case to be referred to prosecutors for a criminal investigation.
The Wilfs have the right to appeal the ruling.
The initial finding that the Wilfs had committed fraud, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and civil racketeering triggered a review by authorities in Minnesota regarding the Wilfs ability to pay for their portion of the new stadium. It was determined that they have the cash to satisfy their obligations.