Drug charges added to lawyer's legal woes

Al Garcia, who already had legal problems, now faces an indictment alleging drug dealing for the past six years.

By ROCHELLE OLSON and JAMES WALSH, Star Tribune s taff w riters

Last update: November 4, 2009 - 7:53 AM

A federal indictment unsealed Tuesday accuses suspended Twin Cities lawyer and one-time Minneapolis City Hall political player Al Garcia of distributing methamphetamine and cocaine for the past six years.

Garcia pleaded not guilty and is free on $25,000 bail. The indictment had been expected for months, but the scope was surprising.

Garcia, 49, of Minnetonka, and his former assistant Misty Iverson were arrested in Anoka County in February in a sting operation. He was accused of taking drugs as payment for legal services.

Charges were dismissed but refiled against Iverson, who pleaded guilty in August to one drug count. She has not been sentenced.

The federal charges accuse Garcia of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine from January 2003 through Feb. 25. The indictment against Garcia was filed Oct. 20, but wasn't unsealed until Tuesday after Garcia's court appearance Monday. Garcia's name did not appear on any federal dockets Monday or Tuesday.

U.S. Attorney's Office public affairs specialist David Anderson said he could not explain the secrecy surrounding Garcia's appearance.

If convicted, Garcia faces a maximum penalty of 40 years on each count. His next appearance is at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 1.

He has other legal problems, too.

He is set to go to trial in Hennepin County District Court in early March for allegedly forcing a potential client to have sex with him in his office after hours. He has pleaded not guilty to that charge.

A misconduct complaint also is pending against Garcia with the state Lawyers Office of Professional Responsibility. The allegations against him include that he misappropriated a client's money, lied about it and failed to pay employer withholding taxes. A recommendation from the office is expected later this year. Options include no discipline, suspension or disbarment. The state Supreme Court has suspended his law license until his legal problems are resolved.

Garcia, who grew up on the North Side, once wielded clout at City Hall because of his connections to key players and his campaign savvy.

raolson@startribune.com • 612-673-1747

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