Cardiologist pleads not guilty in murder-for-hire plot case

A cardiologist from Sands Point pleaded not guilty Monday following an indictment on charges that included new weapons offenses after authorities said he orchestrated a murder-for-hire plot aimed at a fellow doctor.

Authorities in April arrested Anthony Moschetto, 55, saying a search warrant at the doctor's home led to the discovery of a hidden arsenal.

Prosecutors said the murder plot was exposed during an undercover drug investigation involving oxycodone.

Authorities said the probe foiled the slaying plot, shut down a pill distribution scheme and stopped illegal weapons trafficking.

Moschetto faces 77 criminal counts and up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top charge.

Moschetto's attorney, Kevin Keating, declined to comment after yesterday's arraignment in Mineola. Moschetto ignored questions while leaving court.

"Many of the new charges are the result of testing his cache of weapons found in a secret room hidden behind a moving bookshelf," Nassau acting District Attorney Madeline Singas said Monday. Assault weapons, shotguns, handguns, a stun gun and a .22 caliber pen gun were among the weapons seized, she said.

Prosecutors allege Moschetto used prescriptions and guns to pay for crimes against a cardiologist with whom he had a professional dispute, including an arson at the rival doctor's Great Neck office on Feb. 22

Prosecutors said the defendant still has a license to practice medicine, and that a judge kept his bail at $2 million bond or $1.25 million cash.

Nassau acting Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter blamed Moschetto for "a one-man crime wave," adding: "Now he'll be held accountable."