San Diego
Attorney Michael Neff, who last week pleaded guilty to contempt of court in connection with an alleged 1979 plot to skim money from the Tropicana Casino in Las Vegas, on Monday was sentenced to three years’ probation and given a suspended sentence of one year and one day by U.S. District Judge William B. Enright.
As part of the probation, Neff is prohibited from practicing law for two years.
Neff was indicted last fall along with eight others--including restaurateur Joseph E. Matranga and attorney Stephen S. Gillis--in the alleged scheme. Neff advised and coached the other defendants on “how to lie before the grand jury,” Assistant U.S. Atty. Charles Gorder said in court Monday. Gorder recommended a 60-day jail term.
About 100 attorneys, judges and prosecutors wrote character-reference letters for Neff, according to his attorney, Ray Zvetina.
Neff, said Zvetina, has “effectively ceased practicing law” and is now undergoing psychiatric care. “He has been unable to maintain the bravado,” Zvetina said.
Gorder said that Neff receives $58,000 a year in tax-free disability benefits as a result of his condition.
Matranga will be sentenced Monday after pleading guilty last week to contempt of court. Gillis, convicted last week of contempt, will be sentenced Aug. 19.
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