May 24, 2006

As reported at Law.com, Louis Robles pleaded not guilty.

This whole thing is so lamentable. Robles is being defended by a public defender (i.e., by Florida taxpayers), because he says he has no more money. He had already paid his "former" attorney, Roy Black of Miami, $100,000, but that was apparently not enough to get him a lawyer at arraignment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chuck Duross told Brown that he is concerned about withdrawals made by Robles in the past few weeks, including $141,000 he gave to his girlfriend and $500,000 he withdrew April 6. Robles also paid Greenberg Traurig, his civil attorneys, $120,000. Plus the 100K to Black. Plus "his daughter" is putting up $1 million in bond.

Robles, 58, could face life in prison if convicted of all counts, according to U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta. The indictment also contains a criminal forfeiture provision seeking a judgment for $13.5 million, to be used to compensate his former clients. But since Robles is "destitute", it looks like his former clients may not be fully compensated....