Gambler Pleads Not Guilty in Extortion Bid

Howard Spira pleaded innocent today to charges that he attempted to extort money from New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

Spira made his plea in a two-minute hearing before U.S. Magistrate Leonard Bernikow.

The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge John E. Sprizzo, who suggested that the parties might want to ask for another judge. Sprizzo said he had met Steinbrenner socially and was a guest several times in the owner’s box at Yankee Stadium.

Spira, who remains free on a $50,000 bond, will return to court on July 23, when the government and his lawyers will meet with Sprizzo to decide whether they want to switch judges.