Lawyer in Cocaine Scandal Asks Court for Time to Kick His Own Drug Habit

A lawyer who defended a small-time dealer in the baseball cocaine scandal last year has asked a judge to delay his own sentencing for attempted bribery so he can get help kicking a 16-year cocaine habit.

Adam O. Renfroe Jr., 37, of Philadelphia, asked in papers filed last week in U.S. District Court for immediate detoxification and treatment “to prevent a catastrophe.”

Renfroe was convicted here June 12 on charges of offering a prospective witness $20,000 to change her testimony against a man Renfroe was representing in federal court.

Renfroe, a Harvard-educated former Philadelphia prosecutor, faces up to 25 years in prison, a fine of $500,000 and disbarment for attempted bribery and obstruction of justice.

Last summer, Renfroe gained national prominence representing Philadelphia clubhouse caterer Curtis Strong at a trial in Pittsburgh that exposed cocaine use among major-league athletes. Strong was convicted of supplying the drug to ballplayers.