The Ohio Court of Appeals has upheld a default judgment against former NFL star Michael Vick and his wife Kijafa Vick in a civil case involving a loan dispute. The court ruled that the Vicks were properly served with legal documents, despite their claims to the contrary. This decision affects the couple's ability to contest the judgment and highlights the importance of proper service in civil litigation.
The case, G.A.I. Capital Group, L.L.C. v. Vick, was filed in the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas. The Vicks appealed the court's November 18, 2025 decision denying their motion for relief from judgment. The court's ruling is significant as it confirms the procedures for serving out-of-state defendants and the standards required for challenging a default judgment.
Background
G.A.I. Capital Group, an Ohio-based limited liability company, filed a complaint against the Vicks on June 28, 2024. The company alleged that the couple had failed to repay a loan, leading to claims of breach of contract and other related issues. The Vicks, who reside in Florida, argued that the Ohio court lacked personal jurisdiction over them, claiming they were never properly served with the lawsuit.
The dispute escalated when the Vicks ceased making payments on the loan in 2020. The court's jurisdiction was based on Michael Vick's previous business dealings in Ohio, where he sought assistance from G.A.I. Capital Group for a loan. The company maintained that both Vicks were involved in the loan transaction, justifying the court's jurisdiction.
The Ruling
The Ohio Court of Appeals, led by Judge Katelyn Dickey, affirmed the lower court's ruling, stating that the Vicks had been properly served. The court noted that the Vicks had received the summons and complaint via certified mail, which was later followed by service through ordinary mail after the certified mail was not signed for. The court found that the service was sufficient, stating, "Service by certified mail is perfected when it is sent to an address 'reasonably calculated to cause service to reach the defendant.'"
The court also highlighted that Michael Vick had acknowledged receipt of the paperwork in a voicemail left for the company's attorney, further undermining the Vicks' claims of improper service. The ruling emphasized that the Vicks failed to provide adequate evidence to support their claims of lack of service or personal jurisdiction.
Impact
This ruling has significant implications for the Vicks, as it upholds the default judgment against them, effectively limiting their options to contest the claims made by G.A.I. Capital Group. The court's decision reinforces the importance of adhering to procedural rules regarding service of process, particularly for defendants residing out of state. It also sets a precedent for how courts may interpret service requirements and personal jurisdiction in similar cases.
The outcome of this case may influence how other defendants approach their legal obligations and the importance of responding to legal documents in a timely manner. The ruling serves as a reminder that failure to engage with the legal process can result in default judgments, which can have lasting financial and legal consequences.
What's Next
The Vicks have the option to appeal the ruling to the Ohio Supreme Court, but it remains unclear whether they will pursue this route. There are no related cases pending that could impact this ruling directly.