A New Jersey doctor is being accused of hiring a hitman to kill his wife, allegedly, because she knew he was running an illegal opioid drug scam. Dr. James Kauffman and a biker gang member are now charged with the 2012 murder of Kauffman’s wife, April, who is a radio host. Six other members of the Pagans Outlaw Motorcycle Gang were also charged with racketeering.
Kauffman “was intent to have her killed, as opposed to losing his financial empire,” Atlantic County prosecutor Damon Tyner said, according to Yahoo!.
Oddly, the Pagan member who helped Dr. Kauffman find April’s killer also attempted to have Dr. Kauffman killed. Ferdinand Augello was also charged with attempting to set up Dr. Kauffman’s murder.
Kauffman denies all charges according to his attorney, Ed Jacobs.
“I have been waiting patiently for justice, and today I was lucky enough to be granted justice,” Kimberly Pack, April’s daughter who has long believed in Dr. Kauffman’s guilt, said. “I think for the first time, today I can actually breathe.”
April Kauffman was a local businesswoman who also hosted weekly talk radio shows in the area. She was an advocate for military veterans. She received a governor’s award for outstanding community service just before her death.
Augello would send people to Dr. Kauffman to receive the opioids, in return, Augello received $1000. Back in 2011, April wanted a divorce, but Kauffman didn’t share the sentiment, which caused April to threaten to expose him for heading up the drug ring.
