New Jersey Judge Hits Vikings Owners With $84.5 Million Fine

MORRISTOWN, N.J. (AP) - A judge in New Jersey has ordered Minnesota Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf and their cousin to pay $84.5 million to two former business partners they defrauded in a 1980s real estate deal.

The ruling Monday from Superior Court Judge Deanne Wilson covers compensatory and punitive damages to plaintiffs Josef Halpern and Ada Reichmann.

Wilson ruled last month that the Wilfs and their cousin, Leonard Wilf, committed fraud and breach of contract and violated the state's civil racketeering laws.

The Wilfs can appeal. Their attorneys planned to brief the media later Monday.

The Wilfs' New Jersey legal troubles raised concerns it could interfere with Minnesota's construction of a new Vikings stadium. But a state review earlier this month concluded that is not likely.