Gerald Shargel, criminal defense lawyer who represented Staten Island mobsters, dies at 77

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Gerald Shargel, 77, an lawyer who defended best mobsters with Staten Island ties, died Saturday in his Manhattan property from troubles of Alzheimer’s disorder.

Shargel’s bombastic style coupled with his tactical technique earned him accolades throughout his 4-10 years profession as a criminal defense attorney for infamous mobsters, this kind of as John Gotti, Joseph Gambino, Anthony “Old Man” Spero and Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano.

“Clients retain the services of me mainly because I’ll do something that the regulation will allow for, with no concern for how it’s gonna make me appear,” he explained to The New Yorker in 1994.

His close ties with mobsters ended up properly-regarded. In advance of Gotti’s ultimate trial in 1992 — when he was imprisoned for daily life — Shargel was removed from the situation soon after prosecutors described him as “house counsel” for the Gambino criminal offense family members, in accordance to Progress data. Shargel refuted the characterization.

He represented white-collar customers and superior-profile politicians, this sort of as former Pennsylvania Legal professional Typical, Kathleen Kane, who was sentenced in 2016 for orchestrating and lying about her involvement in a grand jury leak.

Spero, the previous Huguenot resident and ex-performing manager and consigliere of the Bonanno criminal offense family, had Shargel on his group right before he gained a lifestyle sentence for racketeering, such as ordering a few murders.

Shargel defended Irv Lorenzo and Chris Lorenzo, known as the Gotti Brothers, right after prosecutors stated they laundered money from drug profits by their Murder Inc. record label, the New York Situations documented. The pair was acquitted and Shargel added on to his victory shortly just after, expressing the situation “should under no circumstances have been brought in the initially put.”

In the course of his job, he remained unashamed of his do the job and people he defended.

“I really do not apologize for any of that,” he informed a lawful blog in 2012. “I’m a criminal protection lawyer. That means I signify people charged with really serious crimes and do my amount greatest to raise sensible doubt, and to see that they are acquitted.”

Shargel attained his bachelor’s degree in 1966 before later earning his regulation diploma from Brooklyn Law College in 1969. He later on served as a practitioner-in-residence at Brooklyn Law College and taught evidence, criminal procedure and demo advocacy, the faculty stated in a launch.

He was highly regarded as a intense law firm with an unmatched grasp of the law by the two colleagues and those he stood toe-to-toe with in the courtroom.

“The very best lawyer in the nation,” said Geraldo Rivera, a journalist and Shargel’s former classmate. “Jerry place the Teflon in the Teflon Don —John Gotti — and represented meek and highly effective alike.”

Former learners lamented the decline of Shargel, and recommended his mentorship and direction all through his time as an instructor.

“Really experienced a tough time listening to this news right now,” said Brian Elfus, a former college student, soon after learning of Shargel’s loss of life. ”He taught me so a great deal about the regulation, but way a lot more about lifestyle. He was the purpose I went to law faculty, and certainly the best trial legal professional at any time.”

Shargel is survived by his wife, Terry, and his two kids, David Shargel and Johanna Shargel — both of whom are attorneys.