Dayton: Faith In Vikings ‘Undermined’ By Owners

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Gov. Mark Dayton says his confidence in the owners of the Minnesota Vikings has been “undermined” by questionable business ethics but he warns the state risks losing its pro football team if a stadium deal unravels.

Dayton told a Minnesota Public Radio call-in show that he agrees with a move to slow down the signing of a final stadium agreement while an exhaustive financial probe is conducted.

The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority announced Tuesday it had hired an outside consultant to review the financial backgrounds of Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf.

A judge has found the Wilfs in violation of New Jersey civil racketeering and fraud laws for in a long-ago apartment development deal.

Vikings officials say that ruling shouldn’t impede the $975 million stadium deal in Minnesota.

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