Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Frequent gambling losses at area casinos apparently led Chargers safety
Terrence Kiel to seek other means of income, including the shipping of
codeine-based cough syrup that got him arrested last year, law enforcement
authorities said. Officials were told in their investigation that gambling
is "exactly what caused the problem, that he was in over his head because he
gambles too much," San Diego Deputy District Attorney Damon Mosler said.
Kiel, 26, is due in court today for a trial readiness hearing on five felony
charges related to the cough syrup matter. Kiel's attorney, Bob Grimes, said
he hoped to reach a deal with prosecutors and the judge, and that it could
include Kiel's addressing of the gambling issue. "The issue of gambling may
be addressed," Grimes said. "But we don't know for sure. That's one of the
things that could be part of the deal or it could not be." Law enforcement
sources said gambling was suspected because selling codeine-based cough
syrup isn't very lucrative and that records show Kiel had dozens of cash
transactions of at least $10,000 each at area casinos. Grimes declined to
address the specifics of the gambling issue. Kiel also has been under
investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for transactions
involving counterfeit Nike shoes from China. Grimes said he didn't expect
charges in that case. Said General Manager A.J. Smith: "We are very much
aware of Terrence's personal and legal situation. We think it's best he
addresses them, not us." While Kiel has one year remaining on his contract,
it appears unlikely he will return to the Chargers in 2007.
Smith would not address whether Kiel would be a Charger beyond this month,
but he said recently in response to a question about Kiel's status with the
team: "We've had a lot of problems this year, and we'll clean up a little
bit of our mess." Gambling issues with players long have been a concern for
the NFL, which considers them a threat to its security and integrity. Kiel's
salary was $460,000 last year, his fourth with the Chargers. He signed a
six-year, $3.71 million contract as a rookie, which included a $1.25 million
signing bonus. Mosler said prosecutors and the judge could ask Kiel to do
community service as part of any deal that is reached. Such community
service could include speaking on the dangers of drugs or gambling. "The
idea is not to see him again," Mosler said.

Records show Kiel has struggled with financial problems in the past year. On
Sept. 7, a notice of default was filed by a loan corporation against Kiel,
seeking payment of $16,610 from a $591,634 mortgage. The property no longer
is being foreclosed. In 2005, Kiel obtained a $50,000 home equity line of
credit. When $49,438 became due, Kiel "refused to pay," according to the
lender. The case was settled in April.

Prosecutors allege Kiel was illegally obtaining codeine-based cough syrup
from a friend, Hope Devina Vines, who worked at a San Diego pharmacy and was
stealing it from her employer. Vines, a licensed pharmacy technician at
Sharp Rees-Stealy in San Diego, has been arrested on felony charges of theft
and possession of a controlled substance in connection with the case. Kiel
and Vines have pleaded not guilty and both are expected in court today.

Kiel was arrested in September after Drug Enforcement Administration agents
intercepted two express mail packages containing 18 pint bottles full of the
drug. Authorities said Kiel admitted to shipping the cough syrup to his
native Texas, where it can sell for up to $325 on the street and where it is
mixed with soft drinks.

In an unrelated matter, the San Diego city attorney's office has charged
Kiel with public urination, a violation of the municipal code. Police cited
Kiel in the Gaslamp Quarter in December.