The Miami Herald-March 2, 2002
Author: JAY WEAVER, jweaver@herald.com
A Miami federal jury deadlocked Friday in the government's money-laundering trial against attorney Neil Taylor, who represented reputed drug lord Sal Magluta a decade ago.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Allan Kaiser said prosecutors have not made up their minds whether to try Taylor again. The 12-person jury deliberated for 11/2 days without reaching a verdict before U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro-Benages.
The deadlock marked the second time that a jury failed to reach a verdict against Taylor, 51, a former federal prosecutor and well-known defense attorney. A Miami federal jury deadlocked last summer, too.
Taylor was accused of accepting more than $1 million from a Magluta courier, despite a judge's freeze on drug proceeds from the cocaine ring allegedly run by Magluta and his partner, Willie Falcon. Taylor was also accused of failing to report his cash fees to the IRS.
Taylor's attorney, Jose Quiñon, argued that Taylor only received $250,000 in fees from a legitimate Magluta business associate and properly reported the money to authorities. He said Taylor was hired only to craft a plea agreement for Magluta. It was never accepted by the government.
Magluta and Falcon, represented by a dream-team of trial attorneys, were acquitted at their drug-smuggling trial in 1996. But it was later discovered that the pair bribed the jury foreman in that case. He was later convicted.
Edition: Final
Section: Local
Page: 4B
Record Number: 0203050054
Copyright (c) 2002 The Miami Herald
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