Houser is the “Fall Guy” in the Saints “Moviegate”
Here’s an interesting reason posted by NOLA.com for why Kevin Houser may have been the “fall guy” in the “MovieGate” Saints scandal:
Houser said he talked with team members about the credits.
“After training camp and no matter where you are, you’re with these guys 24/7, and you learn a lot about each other, ” Houser said. “Everybody knows what everybody’s interests are.”
Jennifer Zdon/The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who invested $100,000 in the film company, referred Kevin Houser to speak to his investment adviser, John Palguta of Cleveland, about the deal. Palguta then inquired about getting former Saints quarterback Archie Manning involved. Manning invested $80,000.Brees was one of the Saints interested in the credits and referred Houser to his investment adviser, John Palguta of Cleveland.
“It was one of those things, we’re walking around the locker room, we’re talking, everybody’s talking about these things,” Houser said. “We’re talking about the films, talking about whatever is going on in and around New Orleans. Drew said, ‘Hey, will you call my guy John about this?’ I gave him a call.”
When contacted, Palguta asked whether the studio might have enough credits for one of his other clients, Archie Manning. Brees spent $100,000, and Manning spent $80,000.
Defensive end Charles Grant has the most at stake, $425,000. The studio in all had collected about $1.88 million in late November.
Houser put in $125,000 and said he expected enough tax credits in return to cover his liabilities over four years. He said he’s taken the responsibility of paying for legal assistance in an effort he hopes will help recover everyone’s money.
About a month after the Saints members put money into the deal, a construction company partly owned by Houser’s wife got a contract to do renovation work for the studio offices and other jobs. After performing the work and receiving only a partial payment, the construction company filed a lawsuit to collect $681,000 still owed. That suit is still pending.
I believe that after Payton and Loomis heard enough complaints about “Moviegate” from those Saints that lost money in the scandal, they could not do anything but release Houser.
View the video of Houser being interviewed about his release:
| Former Saint Kevin Houser Talks About Being Cut From the Team |
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