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Summary: A highly regarded attorney in Hollywood years ago will now be sitting behind bars for up to a year for money-laundering conspiracy.
Once a famous attorney, now nothing more than a has-been that is sitting behind bars. Alan Koslow was Hollywood’s city attorney from 1990 to 1993 but had to resign after a scandal arose.
Koslow was charged with money-laundering conspiracy five months ago. Since then he has lost everything. His marriage is over, he no longer has a law license, and his reputation as an effective attorney and lobbyist in Florida is ruined. Now Koslow is finding himself without freedom.
U.S. District Judge William Dimitrouleas sentenced Koslow to a year and a day behind bars plus a $7,500 fine and $8,500 in restitution after pleading guilty in August to the federal charge of money-laundering conspiracy. A reduced sentence was recommended by the prosecution and defense because of his cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI.
He has met with FBI agents around 75 times between 2013 and 2016. What occurred during the meetings is confidential because there are still ongoing investigations. However, it was mentioned by the judge that Koslow committed additional crimes by using cocaine during while cooperating with the FBI.
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When Koslow gave his statement in court, he thanked the judge for allowing him to complete rehab. He also took complete responsibility for his actions, which were probably worsened due to his failure to take his lithium prescription for years for bipolar disorder diagnosed in 2004. He said, “I’m turning it around. I can still do a lot of good. You’ll never see me again, ever, except in good times.”
An FBI sting caught Koslow helping “quasi-mafia” criminals hide the source of $220,000 related to illegal gambling and drug dealing of cocaine and counterfeit Viagra. He was first caught in 2013 at a Fort Lauderdale hotel room but only charged this year. He stayed undercover to help agents gather more information on other people’s crimes.
With good behavior, Koslow should serve just over ten months. The sentencing guidelines would have put him in prison for three to four years.
Koslow has done a lot of good for his community, raising at least $9.5 million for local groups such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Do you think he should be required to pay for restitution? Tell us in the comments below.
To learn more about other bad lawyers, read these articles:
- San Antonio Lawyer Forged Signatures
- Texas Lawyer Accused of Sending Inappropriate Texts
- Embezzling Louisville Lawyer Sentenced to Four Years in Prison
Photo: flickr.com
