MAYS LANDING, N.J. – Prosecutors say a New Jersey doctor accused of running an illegal prescription drug ring with a motorcycle gang and having one of the members arrange to kill his wife was himself the target of a death threat.
James Kauffman and four of six other defendants appeared in court Thursday via video.
Afterward, prosecutors said they have charged a co-defendant, Ferdinand Augello, with threatening to have Kauffman killed.
Kauffman has been transferred to a jail nearly 100 miles away for his protection.
He's charged with asking a Pagans Outlaw Motorcycle Gang member to find someone to kill his wife, radio host April Kauffman, in 2012.
Kauffman has long maintained his innocence.
A public defender representing Augello did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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