Simon Vilanis is the star witness against Dwight Corcoran and Marshall McFadden that robbed Vilanis of his job. Corcoran attempted to silence him by ordering Joey Palmieri to kill McFadden with Vilanis’ gun.
Vilanis was briefly arrested, but released and then brought on for testimony once Corcoran’s crimes were revealed. (L&O: "The Working Stiff")