Hoffman Drug Pal Tells Court He’s an Addict, Not a Perp

By MACKENZIE GANTER

Jazz musician and suspected drug dealer to Philip Seymour Hoffman, pleaded not guilty on two counts of drug possession with intent to sell in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday, insisting he is an addict, not a criminal.

Robert Vinburg, 57, one of the four people arrested on the night of February 4during the investigation into Hoffman’s death, asked to be sent to treatment for drug addiction rather than do time in prison. During his arraignment, Vinburg’s lawyer, Edward Kratt, filed a motion for judicial diversion, which if granted would allow Vinburg to get into a treatment program.

“He’s had a substantial drug use problem for quite awhile and the substantial amount of drugs that were in the apartment were for personal use,” said Kratt, referring to the 350 bags of heroin found in Vinburg’s apartment on the night of his arrest.

Vinburg’s apartment at 302 Mott St was raided after an anonymous tip was given to police that Hoffman had previously met dealers there. Two other tenants of the building, Juliana Luchkiw and Max Rosenblum, both 22, were arrested along with Vinburg, but are only facing a misdemeanor cocaine possession charge.

Although found with Hoffman’s number in his phone, Vinburg has toild investigators that the two were just friends who shared a struggle with drug addiction.

Vinburg was being held on Riker’s Island while friends and family of the musician attempt to raise money for his bail, which is set at $200,000 bond or $40,000 cash.

“We expect to have bail in place this week,” said Kratt. “We’re making progress.”

Justice Edward McLaughlin adjourned the case to March 10^th to give prosecutors time to respond to the defendant’s request for judicial diversion.

“I’m not committing to anything,” said McLaughlin.