Legal Aid lawyer busted for smuggling marijuana in penny loafers to NYC inmate: officials
A Legal Aid Society lawyer was arrested this week for allegedly smuggling marijuana — hidden inside his penny loafers — to an inmate at a Queens courthouse, officials said.
Attorney Edward Stevens Franco-Lopez — who was visiting inmate Adrian Vasquez, 40 — was busted around 10:15 a.m. Wednesday when the cannabis caught the eye of Correction officers working the X-ray machine at Queens Criminal Court, according to the city’s Department of Correction and law enforcement sources.
Officers noticed that two objects were wrapped in blue electrical tape and hidden in the heels of Franco-Lopez’s shoes, sources said.
That’s where the drugs — 32.8 grams of a green leafy substance that tested positive for THC marijuana — were recovered, the DOC said.
Franco-Lopez was charged with promoting prison contraband, and released on a desk appearance ticket, according to the DOC and the Queens DA’s Office.
“Sadly, for the second time this year, an individual meant to practice and uphold the law has engaged in despicable, criminal behavior that endangers the lives of people in custody and our officers,” DOC Commissioner Louis A. Molina said in a statement.
“I commend our officers for their work in this instance, and for each time they prevent weapons, narcotics, and all forms of contraband from entering our facilities,” the commissioner said.
A spokesperson for the Legal Aid Society, however, told The Post Friday that Franco-Lopez never wore the shoes in question and that they were meant for Vasquez.
The shoes were in a box provided by one of Vasquez’s relatives — because he was on trial and needed dress clothes, according to the rep.
Franco-Lopez simply delivered the box to the DOC to give to his client, according to the spokesperson.
In a statement, the Legal Aid rep adamantly defended Franco-Lopez.
“Edward Franco-Lopez is a valued member of The Legal Aid Society team and he has our unwavering support,” the representative said.
“Mr. Franco-Lopez is presumed innocent and he has secured counsel. We urge the public to refrain from drawing hasty conclusions based on preliminary reporting. These charges do not affect Mr. Franco-Lopez’s status as an attorney.”
A law enforcement source, however, insisted to The Post that nothing had changed and the attorney was wearing the shoes.
Vasquez — who has two open cases in Queens Criminal Court — was set to appear before a judge Wednesday.
In one case, from October of 2022, he allegedly stole a black bag containing sports equipment, as well as a pair of sunglasses, from another man’s car, according to a criminal complaint.
He was charged with petit larceny and unlawful use of a vehicle, the court document states.
Then, in late November of 2022, he allegedly grabbed an officer’s firearm holster in an attempt to grab her loaded pistol — as the cop transported him to the courthouse for arraignments in connection to the October theft and another matter, according to that complaint.
Vasquez then pushed the cop and ran off, the complaint states.
He was charged with attempted criminal possession of a weapon, attempted grand larceny, attempted robbery, escape and obstruction of governmental administration, according to the court doc.
His next court appearances in connection to those matters have been adjourned to Nov. 16, the DA’s office said.
