NY Giants fire 3 employees after Eli Manning defrauding scandal
The final word has come in the Eli Manning memorabilia fraud case.
We think.
Manning was sued by a group of collectors, led by Eric Inselberg, who say the quarterback provided two signed helmets that were falsely passed off as game-worn.
Now the New York Giants have fired three equipment staff members in connection with the charges, which were settled out of court earlier this month.
One of those fired was equipment/locker room manager Ed Wagner Jr., who had been with the team for decades and whose father was a Giants equipment manager.
Two brothers, equipment director Joe Skiba and assistant director Ed Skiba, were also dismissed, but it doesn’t sound like they’ll be going quietly.
The Skibas began working for the Giants back in their college days and had been with the team for more than 20 years.
With most charges against them dismissed, the brothers thought they were in the clear.
“Joe and Ed did not see this coming,” attorney Gerald Krovatin told NJ.com.
“They are two stand-up guys, and they stood tall throughout the four difficult years of this lawsuit,” Krovatin said. “They remain very grateful for the 20-plus years they were able to work with the players, coaches and everyone else in the Giants organization.”
Manning asked Joseph Skiba via email to get “2 helmets that can pass as game used.” Skiba did testify that he met Manning’s request.
The Washington Post reported on a text exchange where Joe Skiba was considering going to the Giants to request overtime for the work he was doing, “Cause my insights on the case cost money now.”
Ed Skiba then texted his brother, “Not even worth it.”
“For me it is,” Joe Skiba replied. “I’ll tell the whole f—— world the truth.”
Perhaps the Skibas shouldn’t be surprised by their firings; in a deposition, Giants owner John Mara said he considered what the brothers had done to be stealing.
The team did not represent the Skibas during the process.
The four-year case was settled this month, with Manning steadfastly maintaining his innocence. “I’ve done nothing wrong, he said.
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