The Associated Press
NEW YORK — A man convicted of masterminding a $100 million mortgage fraud scheme has admitted trying to order a hit on a key witness in his trial.
Former AFG Financial Group Inc. President Aaron Hand pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to commit murder. He is already serving 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison and is facing an additional sentence of 8 to 16 years to run consecutively.
Hand had faced 25 to life if convicted on the more serious charge of attempted murder.
Manhattan prosecutors wouldn’t name the witness, one of several who testified against Hand in the scheme. He was convicted in July 2010 of racketeering.
Authorities got a tip that he was interested in arranging a hit, so they sent an undercover investigator.