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Article Courtesy of The Sun
Sentinel
By Paula
McMahon
Published August 15, 2016
Broward lawyer and lobbyist Alan Koslow has entered a
residential drug rehab program after testing positive for cocaine use at
least three times since he was charged with a federal money-laundering
conspiracy last month, court records show.
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Koslow, 62, of
Hollywood, has pleaded not guilty to laundering what he
thought was $220,000 linked to illegal gambling and drug
dealing of cocaine and counterfeit Viagra. Prosecutors
say he accepted $8,500 from undercover FBI agents in a
sting that operated in 2012 and 2013.
Koslow tested positive for cocaine on at least three
occasions since he surrendered to face the conspiracy
charge and was released on $50,000 bond on June 2, his
lawyer Michael Orenstein wrote in court records.
Koslow had been ordered to undergo random drug testing
as one of the conditions of his pre-trial release.
His first positive drug test was June 6, four days after
he was released on bond. Judges often warn defendants
that they get a "pass" for their first drug test result
after arrest but subsequent positive tests are more
likely to be considered a bond violation that could send
them to jail.
Urine tests can usually detect cocaine for about two
weeks after use, according to experts.
Koslow, who was
being tested twice a week since his arrest, tested
positive a second time on June 20 and a third time on
June 30, his lawyer wrote.
Probation officers
sent Koslow for a psychological evaluation and he began
out-patient treatment on June 27, records show. |
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Broward lawyer and lobbyist Alan Koslow tested
positive for cocaine use at least three times since he was
charged with a federal money-laudering conspiracy in June.
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After the third positive drug test, Koslow asked Orenstein to get him
admitted to a residential drug treatment program, the defense lawyer
wrote.
"Defendant Koslow has now taken a monumental step by finally wanting to
voluntarily be admitted to a residential treatment facility," Orenstein
wrote.
How a South Florida lawyer rose in clout before federal sting snared him
Koslow entered the drug treatment program on Saturday, his lawyer said.
"I'm trying to get needed help for my client," Orenstein told the Sun
Sentinel on Monday. He declined further comment about the drug abuse and
he and Koslow have declined to say anything about the money-laundering
charge.
Koslow was tentatively scheduled to begin Monday, July 18, with U.S.
District Judge William Dimitrouleas in federal court in Fort Lauderdale,
but Orenstein said he was planning to ask for a postponement before
Koslow entered rehab.
Because of the way the case was filed against Koslow, it is believed
that he has some form of agreement to plead guilty to the conspiracy
charge.
Koslow is still listed as a "member in good standing" and "eligible
to practice law" by the Florida Bar. He has not been practicing law
since he resigned his position at the powerhouse law firm of Becker &
Poliakoff just before prosecutors announced in late May that he was
facing a criminal charge, his lawyer wrote.
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