Claimed $40K Contract Hit Attempt on Fed'l Judge, Prosecutor Creates New Trouble for Jailed Con Man
Updated: A New York man who was serving time in federal prison in New York after selling overpriced coins in a $40 million telemarketing scheme on Long Island and in South Florida is now facing new trouble.
Joseph Romano is accused of plotting from his prison cell to hire a hit man for $40,000 to torture and kill the lead federal prosecutor and judge who put him there, the New York Post reports.
Romano, 49, was charged along with his claimed co-conspirator in the alleged murder conspiracy, Dejvid Mirkovic, 38, in a complaint unsealed Tuesday in Brooklyn. The document also says the two intended to preserve their victims’ heads in formaldehyde as “souvenirs,” reports Reuters.
Authorities reportedly recovered $40,000 in cash, a little over half of which was paid in advance.
An informant reportedly alerted authorities to Romano’s alleged effort to hire a hit man, to which undercover officers then responded, recounts Reuters. U.S. District Judge Joseph Bianco and an unidentified assistant U.S. attorney were the alleged targets.
An attorney for Romano could not immediately be reached by the news agency for comment.
Attorney Jack Goldberger represents Mirkovic. “When the dust settles, it will be clear that Mr. Mirkovic was tricked into participating in this, and he’s not guilty of the crime,” he told Reuters.
An FBI press release provides further details.
Earlier coverage:
Sun-Sentinel: “2 arrested in New York in coin fraud cases prey on elderly in South Florida, authorities say”
Updated on Oct. 10 to include and accord with information from Reuters.
