Doctor charged with hiring biker-gang member to kill wife over drug ring

ATLANTIC TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- (WMBF) -- A woman from Murrells Inlet was one of eight people arrested in connection with the investigation into the murder of April Kauffman, a New Jersey radio host allegedly killed by a hitman hired by her husband in 2012.

Cheryl Pizza, 36, of Murrells Inlet, was arrested and charged with second-degree racketeering in connection with the murder-for-hire case, according to a news release from the Office of the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.

Dr. James Kauffman, 68, of Linwood, New Jersey, is accused of hiring a man to kill his wife after she planned to divorce him and expose his illegal drug operation with the Pagans motorcycle gang, prosecutors told NBC New York Tuesday.

From the Office of the Atlantic County Prosecutor:

"Through an ACPO investigation, it was determined that a long term alliance between members of the Pagan Outlaw Motorcycle Gang and former doctor, James Kauffman, was created for the mutual financial gain through the use of Kauffman's medical practice for illegal drug distribution which culminated on May 10, 2012 with the 'murder for hire' of April Kauffman. Prior to 2011, James Kauffman and Ferdinand Augello had a relationship which centered on James Kauffman's medical practice. In the summer of 2011, James Kauffman solicited Ferdinand Augello to murder Kauffman's wife, April Kauffman. This appears to be for numerous reasons largely centered on April Kauffman's threats of divorce. James Kauffman stated he would sooner kill April than grant the divorce and lose 'half his empire.'"