Photo: DOJ/FBI
A Massachusetts man who unknowingly hired an undercover FBI agent to kill his wife has pleaded guilty.
Massimo Marenghi, 56,entered the pleaon Thursday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Massachusetts said in a release. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 8.
Marenghi and the undercover agent met a second time on Jan. 29, 2021, per the release, and Marenghi handed him a $1,500 cash deposit “for the murder and explained that the sooner the ‘demolition job’ takes place, the sooner he will be able to pay the balance owed.”
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He gave the agent a photo of his wife as well as a description of her car. He told the agent the hours her business was open and when he would be with their children, “which he said would be the ‘best time for the construction work to start,’ " authorities said.
Marenghi could face up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000.
During their first meeting on Jan. 20, Marenghi told the agent he needed a “situation” to be “taken care of,” concerning his “soon-to-be” ex-wife. When the agent asked if he wanted “to get rid of her,” Marenghi said, “Yeah, I need to … eliminate that problem.”
The agent then told him, “I mean, we can make it look like an accident … it is your call,” to which Marenghi replied, “Yeah, well, I mean obviously that’s the best way.”
Marenghi and the agent agreed that Marenghi would pay $10,000 for the murder of his wife, the filing states.
It’s not clear if Marenghi has a lawyer who can comment on his behalf.
source: people.com
