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Asst. Public Defender By Day, Pill Pusher at Night

The DEA arrests a veteran attorney for selling pills

By Todd Wright

| Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009 | Updated 4:44 PM EDT

Asst. Public Defender By Day, Pill Pusher at Night

A veteran Miami-Dade assistant public defender was released from jail Monday after being arrested for selling Oxycodone pills to an undercover police officer, according to the Miami Herald.

Joseph Imperato pocketed $700 after selling 45 pills on two separate occasions and DEA agents moved in to arrest him at his home on Friday.

There have been complaints that assistant public defenders don't make a lot of scratch, but turning to dealing drugs seems a bit extreme.

What's more surprising is Imperato has been defending drug dealers and other suspected criminals for nearly three decades. He will likely be suspended while the investigation plays out. He was released on $25,000 bond.