Anthony J. Moschetto, DO, a cardiologist affiliated with Roslyn, N.Y.-based St. Francis Hospital, pleaded guilty Tuesday in a murder-for-hire scheme that included attempted arson, illegal prescription sales and medieval weaponry, according to NBC New York.
Dr. Moschetto's plot to kill was uncovered during an investigation earlier this year into a tip given to the Drug Enforcement Agency that unusually high numbers of oxycodone prescriptions were coming from his office.
The cardiologist was arrested in April after he offered an undercover police officer $5,000 to have a rival physician assaulted and $20,000 to have him killed, according to the NBC report. A video recording shows Dr. Moschetto giving the undercover officer $500 and unwritten prescriptions as a retainer for the hit job. Police also linked Dr. Moschetto to a prior arson attempt on the rival physician's office, according to the report.
A search of Dr. Moschetto's home revealed a collection of Medieval-style weapons and firearms hidden behind a revolving bookcase, according to the report.
Dr. Moschetto pleaded guilty to a variety of crimes, including weapons charges, criminal prescription sales, arson and conspiracy to commit assault, according to NBC.
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