It appears 6ix9ine's original legal team will soon reunite.
According to legal documents obtained Complex, U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer has allowed Lance Lazzaro to represent the rapper in his ongoing criminal case. The high-powered attorney was removed from the defense back in January, after concerns about a potential conflict of interest. The decision was made after it was revealed Lazzaro had previously worked with two of 6ix9ine's co-defendants.
Lazarro had represented Kifano "Shotti" Jordan on four separate cases between 2004 and 2015; one of the cases resulted in a misdemeanor charge, while the others were ultimately dismissed. The attorney also represented Faheem "Crippy" Walter in an assault case stemming from a Oct. 26, 2018 shooting incident that occurred during 6ix9ine's celebratory dinner in NYC; those assault charges were also dropped.
Though the cases were unrelated to 6ix9ine's federal charges, there were concerns Lazarro had gained "intimate knowledge" of the co-defendants' affairs and would also be privy to "privileged communications" that could be used in 6ix9ine's defense. The attorney was, therefore, taken off the case and asked to submit "letters detailing the extent of his previous dealings with Kifano and Walter."
On Friday, Judge Engelmayer issued an order permitting Lazzaro to rejoin the case. The judge stated he has reviewed Lazzaro's affidavit that describes his previous representations of the co-defendants, and has determined no "risk."
The order reads in part:
The Court is satisfied, given the brief nature of Mr. Lazzar's prior representations of Mr. Jordan and Mr. Walter, the fact that those representations appear unrelated to the present case, and Mr. Lazzaro's apparent lack of any privileged information of any consequences regarding them, that Mr. Lazzaro's representation of Daniel Hernandez in this matter would not present an risk to these former clients, neither of whom has moved for Mr. Lazzaro's disqualification.
6ix9ine is expected to appear in court March 28 to formally accept Lazzaro's reinstatement. The rapper is facing a possible 47-year prison sentence.
