Dr. Anthony J. Moschetto faces conspiracy and other charges.
— — A New York cardiologist is charged with allegedly plotting to burn down a rival’s office — and to have the doctor murdered, authorities said.
Dr. Anthony J. Moschetto was arraigned in court on Wednesday, pleading not guilty to conspiracy and other charges.
According to court documents, Moschetto allegedly hired two men — James Kalamaras and James Chmela -– to burn down the office of a rival doctor, identified as Martin Handler.
Moschetto allegedly paid the men with illegal prescriptions and guns, including an Uzi assault rifle, prosecutors said.
But when the building’s sprinkler system put out that fire, Moschetto allegedly tried to hire someone else to kill his rival, according to court documents.
Prosecutors said the plan that backfired when the hit man turned out to be an undercover officer.
“He was willing to pay $5,000 to have him beaten and put in the hospital for a couple of months and pay $20,000 to have him killed,” Nassau County Assistant District Attorney Anne Donnelly said of Moschetto’s intentions. “He wanted to put him out of business so he could get his business.”
Investigators say they found more than 100 weapons — including knives, guns and a hand grenade — in a secret room only accessible through a motorized bookshelf at Moschetto’s Long Island home on Tuesday.
No charges have been announced related to the weapons.
Kalamaras and Chmela also pleaded not guilty.
Moschetto’s attorney, Randy Zelin, who declined to discuss specific details of the case, paints a different picture of his client.
“He is a family guy,” Zelin said. “Dedicated really to his parents.”
Moschetto left court after posting a $2 million bond. He’s due back in court on April 17.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/news/story/york-doctor-charged-murder-hire-plot-prosecutors-30358635?userab=abcn_web_article_ts-208*variant_b-776,abcn_mobileweb_article_ep-176*variant_c-815&userab=abcn_web_article_ts-208*variant_a-775,abcn_mobileweb_article_ep-176*variant_b-814&userab=abcn_web_article_ts-244*variant_a_control-924&userab=abcn_web_article_ts-244*variant_a_control-924&userab=abcn_web_article_ts-244*variant_b_popular_reads_top-925
