Nevada Commission Refuses to Re-Hear Wanderlei Silva's Case
Wanderlei Silva's case was supposed to go before the Nevada Athletic Commission on Tuesday for a court-ordered re-hearing of his punishment for evading a drug test in May of 2014, but the commission inexplicably delayed the hearing... again.
The re-hearing was initially supposed to have taken place in October of last year, but has continued to be pushed back from one month’s meeting to the next with little explanation. That happened again on Tuesday, and it certainly didn’t sit well with Silva’s attorney, Ross Goodman.
HOT TOPIC > Cro Cop Reportedly Never Failed UFC Drug Test, but Remains Suspended
“By continuing to move this hearing for Wanderlei, it is violating his due process rights,” said Goodman, who was only provided an opportunity to speak during the public comment portion of the hearing. “But it appears, for no reason, that the commission is now moving this (matter again), which should have been reheard some four months ago.”
New commission chairman Tony Marnell offered in response, “Executive director Bennett and myself are not comfortable with what has been negotiated.”
Recommended Articles
He then specifically cited recent changeover on the commission – including him recently becoming chairman, Michon Martin becoming a new commission member, and changes in prosecutor and counsel – as further reasoning for the latest delay.
Goodman was clearly unhappy with the explanation, believing they should be able to move forward with the hearing.
Marnell did not argue the matter further, declaring, “You will be heard in February.”
Silva was initially handed a lifetime ban and a $70,000 fine by the commission for evading a random drug test prior to a planned bout with Chael Sonnen at UFC 175 in the summer of 2014.
Believing the punishment was heavy handed, Silva's legal team took the matter before the courts, and the commission was ordered by a Nevada district court judge to reconsider the penalties, although they have yet to do so. The judge ruled it was “in excess of the statutory authority of the agency.”
It now appears the matter, if the commission follows through on Marnell’s statement, will be heard in February.
