NY lawyer sentenced to 14 years in prison for threatening witnesses in drug-smuggling case
By APFriday, December 4, 2009
NY attorney sentenced in drug-smuggling case
NEW YORK — A high-profile New York City defense attorney has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for threatening witnesses in a drug-trafficking case.
A Brooklyn jury found Robert Simels guilty earlier this year of federal witness-tampering charges. A judge threw out the conviction of one of his associates on Friday.
The 62-year-old Simels has represented Henry Hill, whose exploits were the basis of the 1990 Martin Scorsese mob film “Goodfellas.” Another client was legendary drug kingpin Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff.
At the trial, jurors heard Simels and an associate of client Shaheed “Roger” Khan on tape discussing how to “eliminate” witnesses in Khan’s drug case. The lawyer took the witness stand in his own defense and claimed he meant no harm.
