The accused heroin dealer who cops believe sold drugs to actor Philip Seymour Hoffman said in court papers Tuesday that he is a raging addict in need of help – asking to be sent to a court-ordered treatment program in a bid to stay out of prison.
Robert Vineberg — a musician who recorded with Amy Winehouse and Wyclef Jean — is a longtime addict whose addiction has worsened, his lawyer, Edward Kratt, said in a motion obtained by The Post.
“In recent years, Mr. Vineberg has increased his heroin intake to some 10 bags per day. As a result, his musical career has foundered. He has fallen into significant depression and he has neglected his work and family obligations,” Kratt wrote in the motion.
The motion came as Vineberg, 57, was arraigned on three counts of felony possession and intent to sell before Justice Edward McLaughlin in Manhattan Supreme Court.
If the motion to have his case transferred to the diversion program is granted, he would do any time in a rehab facility and avoid jail, his lawyer said.
“If it’s granted he’ll be put into a treatment program. He’s been a drug abuser for a long period of time which is one of the requirements,” Kratt said.
Vineberg is a Canadian citizen and faces deportation if he is convicted of a drug felony. He was expected to make bail later Tuesday.
About 20 of the musician’s pals showed up to support him.
“We hope he gets some treatment. We all have our demons,” said Kevin Tooley.
Police ransacked the jazz musician’s building after a confidential informant reported seeing the troubled Oscar-winning star score there.
In an exclusive jailhouse interview with The Post, Vineberg denied ever selling the “Capote” actor drugs but said the two were pals who bonded over their fight to stay sober.
Vineberg denied selling the stash heroin found in Hoffman’s $10,000-a-month pad. There is no evidence tying the fatal batch to Vineberg.
Vineberg told The Post he and Hoffman had been friends for about a year.
“I could’ve saved him,” Vineberg said from Rikers Island this month. “If I was with him, it wouldn’t have happened. Not under my guard.”
Earlier Tuesday, a young couple busted on drug charges in the same raid on Vineberg’s Mott Street building showed they can clean up well, ditching their downtown hipster duds for business attire as they were arraigned.
Juliana Luchkiw and Max Rosenblum, both 22, dressed in a business suit and stylish black pants suit, respectively and were formally charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.
“Yes, he got a haircut,” said Rosenblum’s lawyer, Daniel Hochheiser, adding that will ask the court to review the grand jury testimony and then move to dismiss his client’s indictment.
Luchkiw walked out of court with her lawyer father and did not comment.
During earlier proceedings, she had called her arrest “retarded” and was visibly upset that a judge initially denied her bond.
“Why is this happening? I can’t spend another night in here!” she wailed at the time.
They remained free on bail after the brief proceeding before Justice Edward McLaughlin.
Court documents revealed that in addition to two bags of cocaine, cops found a bag of marijuana and a scale in their apartment.