El Chapo back in Brooklyn court for hearing on potential conflict of interest at trial
Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera, better known as the alleged drug kingpin El Chapo, is scheduled to be back in Brooklyn’s federal court Thursday, as the parties have requested a Curcio hearing, or a hearing to determine whether a conflict of interest exists regarding representation of the defendant by Jeffrey Lichtman.
Lichtman, who is known for representing John Gotti Jr., the son of Gambino family mobster John Gotti, was hired by El Chapo in August 2017. Gotti Jr.’s case ended in an acquittal of a $25 million securities fraud charge and a deadlocked jury on each of the remaining charges.
El Chapo had been previously represented by public defenders Michael Schneider and Michelle Gelent, with the Federal Defenders of New York.