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Convicted Landlord's Attorney Seeks Approval To Quit Case

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 1, 2008

TAMPA - One of Steve Green's lawyers is fighting with Green's mother over money and wants a judge to let him out of defending the former landlord.

Green, once one of Tampa's worst code violators with the low-income housing complexes he operated, was sentenced in February 2007 to 33 months in prison on tax evasion and fraud charges. He also was ordered to pay more than $4 million in restitution to Wells Fargo Bank.

Green defrauded the bank by using a false Social Security number on a $9 million mortgage application for the Amberwood apartment complex on North Florida Avenue.

A judge gave Green time to get his affairs in order before turning himself in, and while Green was free, he was hit by a car in New York and has been in poor physical condition since, according to court filings.

In June, a judge granted a defense motion, delaying his prison reporting date to Jan. 3 because of his medical problems.

Louis Cherico, one of three attorneys representing Green in the federal criminal matter, filed a motion last year asking to be released from the case because he was having differences with Green's mother, who is Green's guardian. U.S. District Judge Susan Bucklew denied that motion, ordering Cherico to remain on the case until Green paid his restitution.

Now Cherico says in a court filing that Green's mother has fired him and won't pay $41,000 owed him in fees for prior work. He said his requests to visit Green are being ignored, and he is unable to evaluate Green's condition "with respect to restitution or prospective incarceration."

Cherico wrote that the guardian's attorney, Stephen Hochhauser, has taken the position that the court's order requiring Cherico to stay in the case is not binding on Cherico "or perhaps is a mere recommendation that is trumped by the guardian's decision to discharge me."

Cherico noted that the estate has made restitution payments and is on a schedule to pay the entire amount and decried the "utter inequity of obligated representation without any compensation from the guardian."

Another of Green's attorneys wrote in court papers in June that Green's condition is poor.

"Attempts by medical staff to feed or bathe him often result in Mr. Green punching or biting his caregivers and otherwise physically resisting said efforts," Edward M. Kratt wrote. "Steven often shreds the bed linens with his teeth when frustrated. He must oft-times be physically restrained for his safety, as well as the safety of his caregivers.

"As a result of this compulsive, and seemingly involuntary behavior, no physical therapists have been found, to date, who are willing to work with him to provide for his physical, rehabilitative needs."

Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837 or esilvestrini@tampatrib.com.

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