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Khan’s attorney released on US$3.5M bail
– Associate posts $500,000 surety
Attorney Robert Simels, who has been accused of attempting to “eliminate” the main witness against his client, Guyanese businessman Shaheed ‘Roger’ Khan, has been released on US$3.5M bail.
Arienne Irving, an associate of Simels, and who also was named as a defendant in the indictment, was released on US$500,000 bail.
Attorney Robert Simels
Simels’ lawyer said in a statement that he plans to fight the accusations leveled against his client.
Simels was arrested on Wednesday afternoon and accused in an 18-page federal complaint of paying an alleged ‘Phantom Squad’ member $1,000 for the hit, which also included strict orders not to kill the witness’ mother.
Simels, who was arraigned in Brooklyn Federal Court with conspiring to obstruct justice, is accused of attempting to arrange a hit for Khan.
Khan who is currently before the courts on drug-related charges was also named in the latest indictment.
Khan allegedly told Simels that the case against him hinged on one man – identified in court papers as “John Doe No 1.”
Simels wanted to “eliminate” and “neutralize” the witness, authorities said.
He allegedly told a government informant at one point that, “Obviously, any witness you can eliminate is a good thing.”
The feds said that on June 19, 2008, Simels met with the government informant in his Manhattan office and handed over a $1,000 down payment for the hit.
The two were reportedly caught on tape, according to the federal complaint, with Simels saying, “Here’s $1,000 to get started.”
When the undercover informant said “no problem,” Simels replied, “All [Khan] says is be careful. He says don’t kill the [witness’] mother.”
During the brief conversation, Simels also said, “Well, [Khan] would like as much pressure being put on [John Doe No. 1] as possible.”
The authorities revealed that a five-month investigation, which involved a confidential source who was cooperating with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) against Khan, Simels and Irving, eventually led to the indictment.
Khan’s case is scheduled to commence on November 3, 2008.
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