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Boston lawyer charged in scheme to hide drug money

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FILE - This Oct. 27, 2006 file pool photo shows defense attorney Robert George during Christopher McCowen's murder trial at Barnstable, Mass., Superior Courthouse. Prosecutors alleged in federal court in Boston, on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, that George a

FILE - This Oct. 27, 2006 file pool photo shows defense attorney Robert George during Christopher McCowen’s murder trial at Barnstable, Mass., Superior Courthouse. Prosecutors alleged in federal court in Boston, on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, that George and a co-conspirator plotted to launder more than $225,000 in drug money from early 2009 to 2011.

Steve Heaslip, Pool, File, Associated Press

BOSTON — A prominent Boston defense attorney is denying charges that he laundered more than $225,000 in drug money.

Robert George made a brief initial appearance in federal court Wednesday and was later released on $50,000 unsecured bond. His attorney, Rosemary Scapicchio, says George has had an "impeccable" record during three decades as an attorney and says federal agents set him up.

George's high-profile clients include organized crime figures Francis "Cadillac Frank" Salemme and John Martorano. He also represented Christopher McCowen, a trash collector convicted the murder of fashion writer Christa Worthington on Cape Cod.

The 56-year-old George was arrested early Wednesday at his Westwood home by federal drug enforcement agents.

Prosecutors say he knowingly helped conceal that the cash was drug proceeds.