Jeffrey Lichtman
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey Lichtman is a prominent defense attorney
in New York City
who represented John Gotti Jr. and managed to secure a dismissal of three charges of murder conspiracy, an acquittal of a $25 million securities fraud charge, and a hung jury on every remaining count brought against him. The media described the Gotti verdict as an "unbelievable courtroom upset" and Lichtman's work as "brilliant." His cross-examinations of the government's witnesses were described in the media as a "relentless pounding" in which witnesses were "put through the blender" and "shredded."
Lichtman grew up in Clark, New Jersey
, where he attended Arthur L. Johnson High School
. He had started studying pre-med at Emory University
, but left "after an unpleasant confrontation with a fetal pig". He graduated from Duke University School of Law
in 1990 and opened his own law firm in 1999.
In addition to John Gotti, Jr. some of his prominent clients include Thomas Rachko, a retired NYPD detective charged with extorting drug dealers, Jacob Orgad, one of the largest ecstasy
dealers pursued by the federal government, AIG executives named in the New York Attorney General's probe of the insurance industry, Noel Heath, described by President Bush as an “international drug kingpin” from St. Kitts who was once on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List, and miscellaneous celebrities including rappers The Game
and Fat Joe
. In September 2007, Lichtman's work caused the dismissal of all charges against The Game in connection with an allegation of impersonation of a police officer. In April 2008, Lichtman successfully went after the Los Angeles Times
after it falsely claimed that his client was involved in the 1994 shooting of Rap icon Tupac Shakur
. In 2010, Lichtman won the freedom of Joseph Iadipaoli who had been convicted and sentenced to a 27 year term of imprisonment for sexual assault. Lichtman's cross-examination of Iadipaoli's trial counsel was stopped by the judge prior to completion and Iadipaoli's conviction vacated. In 2011, Lichtman got an acquittal for WPIX television reporter Vince DeMentri
on assault charges in New York City.
In addition to his primary profession, Lichtman serves as a contributor to Court TV
, Hannity & Colmes
and The O'Reilly Factor
among other cable news programs, and is a substitute host on the The John Gibson Radio Show on Fox News Talk Radio. He was also a frequent guest and substitute host on The Curtis Sliwa Show and the Bob Grant Show on WABC
radio in New York City. In January 2011, he became host of The Jeffrey Lichtman Show on AM 970 The Apple.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
who represented John Gotti Jr. and managed to secure a dismissal of three charges of murder conspiracy, an acquittal of a $25 million securities fraud charge, and a hung jury on every remaining count brought against him. The media described the Gotti verdict as an "unbelievable courtroom upset" and Lichtman's work as "brilliant." His cross-examinations of the government's witnesses were described in the media as a "relentless pounding" in which witnesses were "put through the blender" and "shredded."
Lichtman grew up in Clark, New Jersey
Clark, New Jersey
Clark is a township in southern Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 14,756.-History:...
, where he attended Arthur L. Johnson High School
Arthur L. Johnson High School
Arthur L. Johnson High School is a four-year public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Clark, in Union County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Clark Public School District...
. He had started studying pre-med at Emory University
Emory University
Emory University is a private research university in metropolitan Atlanta, located in the Druid Hills section of unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The university was founded as Emory College in 1836 in Oxford, Georgia by a small group of Methodists and was named in honor of...
, but left "after an unpleasant confrontation with a fetal pig". He graduated from Duke University School of Law
Duke University School of Law
The Duke University School of Law is the law school and a constituent academic unit of Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States. One of Duke's 10 schools and colleges, the School of Law began as the Trinity College School of Law in 1868. In 1924, following the renaming of Trinity...
in 1990 and opened his own law firm in 1999.
In addition to John Gotti, Jr. some of his prominent clients include Thomas Rachko, a retired NYPD detective charged with extorting drug dealers, Jacob Orgad, one of the largest ecstasy
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
MDMA is an entactogenic drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of drugs. In popular culture, MDMA has become widely known as "ecstasy" , usually referring to its street pill form, although this term may also include the presence of possible adulterants...
dealers pursued by the federal government, AIG executives named in the New York Attorney General's probe of the insurance industry, Noel Heath, described by President Bush as an “international drug kingpin” from St. Kitts who was once on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List, and miscellaneous celebrities including rappers The Game
The Game (rapper)
Jayceon Terrell Taylor , better known by his stage name Game, formerly The Game, is an American rapper and actor. As a member of G-Unit, he rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary, which earned him two Grammy Award nominations...
and Fat Joe
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
. In September 2007, Lichtman's work caused the dismissal of all charges against The Game in connection with an allegation of impersonation of a police officer. In April 2008, Lichtman successfully went after the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
after it falsely claimed that his client was involved in the 1994 shooting of Rap icon Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
. In 2010, Lichtman won the freedom of Joseph Iadipaoli who had been convicted and sentenced to a 27 year term of imprisonment for sexual assault. Lichtman's cross-examination of Iadipaoli's trial counsel was stopped by the judge prior to completion and Iadipaoli's conviction vacated. In 2011, Lichtman got an acquittal for WPIX television reporter Vince DeMentri
Vince DeMentri
Vince DeMentri was most recently a reporter for WPIX in New York, NY.DeMentri graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in broadcast journalism. He also played football for the Temple Owls as a linebacker from 1983 to 1985. He began his career as a Sports Producer for WPVI-TV in Philadelphia...
on assault charges in New York City.
In addition to his primary profession, Lichtman serves as a contributor to Court TV
Court TV
truTV is an American cable television network owned by Turner Broadcasting, a subsidiary of Time Warner. The network launched as Court TV in 1991, changing to truTV in 2008...
, Hannity & Colmes
Hannity & Colmes
Hannity & Colmes was a live television show on Fox News Channel in the United States, hosted by Sean Hannity and Alan Colmes, who respectively presented a conservative and liberal perspective. The series premiered on October 6, 1996, and the final episode aired on January 9, 2009. It was the...
and The O'Reilly Factor
The O'Reilly Factor
The O'Reilly Factor, originally titled The O'Reilly Report from 1996 to 1998 and often called The Factor, is an American talk show on the Fox News Channel hosted by commentator Bill O'Reilly, who often discusses current controversial political issues with guests.The program was the most watched...
among other cable news programs, and is a substitute host on the The John Gibson Radio Show on Fox News Talk Radio. He was also a frequent guest and substitute host on The Curtis Sliwa Show and the Bob Grant Show on WABC
WABC (AM)
WABC , known as "NewsTalkRadio 77 WABC" is a radio station in New York City. Owned by the broadcasting division of Cumulus Media, the station broadcasts on a clear channel and is the flagship station of Cumulus Media Networks...
radio in New York City. In January 2011, he became host of The Jeffrey Lichtman Show on AM 970 The Apple.