Pubdate: Wed, 11 Jul 2001
Source: South Florida Sun Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2001 Sun-Sentinel Co & South Florida Interactive, Inc
Contact: http://southflorida.sun-sentinel.com/services/letters_editor.htm
Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1326
Author: Terri Somers

LAUDERDALE LAWYER PONDERS DEAL IN BOCA COCAINE-PLANTING CASE

Fort Lauderdale lawyer Alexandre Lasnaud wants out of jail, and he is 
hoping that cooperation with federal law enforcement might help him do that.

Lasnaud, 31, was arrested on Saturday on charges he helped coordinate a 
scheme to frame a Boca Raton businessman's former wife by planting cocaine 
in her car. The businessman, Gary Robert Gillman, is a client of Lasnaud's 
being held in the Palm Beach County Jail on charges he hired someone to 
kill his father and his father's girlfriend.

Gillman was trying to set up his ex-wife because he didn't want her to have 
custody of their two children, according to court papers.

During his first appearance before a federal judge in Fort Lauderdale on 
Tuesday, Lasnaud heard that the U.S. Attorney's Office objected to his 
release on bail because they fear the French-born lawyer could obtain a 
fake passport and flee the country.

"My mom is in the U.S.; my kids are here. The business I've been working on 
for 21/2 years is here. I don't want to go anywhere," Lasnaud told U.S. 
Magistrate Judge Barry Seltzer.

Lasnaud opted to postpone a detention hearing until Thursday so he could 
decide whether he wants to cooperate with authorities. He is charged with 
obstructing justice and conspiring to distribute cocaine. He faces a 
maximum of 50 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

While in jail awaiting trial, Gillman bailed out his cellmate so that man 
could break into the garage at Gillman's ex-wife's home and plant cocaine 
in her car, court documents said. The cellmate was then supposed to tell 
police that Gillman's ex-wife was dealing crack cocaine, according to court 
documents.

Lasnaud found out about the scheme and started coordinating it, according 
to court papers. Later, Gillman agreed to cooperate with the FBI and wore a 
body wiretap during a Dec. 28 meeting with his lawyer.

In February, Gillman pleaded guilty to hiring the hit man and to plotting 
to have his former wife arrested.
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