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Augello attorney seeking Kauffman suicide note, informant | Kauffman Case

MAYS LANDING — A lawyer for the man charged with murder in the 2012 killing of April Kauffman requested Dr. James Kauffman's suicide note as well as the confidential informant in the case.

Alleged Pagans motorcycle gang leader Ferdinand "Freddy" Augello, 62, of Upper Township, appeared before Judge Bernard DeLury on Thursday for a status conference in Atlantic County Superior Court. 

“One of our primary issues or concerns right now is obtaining Dr. Kauffman’s suicide note,” public defender Mary Linehan said, adding the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office has said it does not have the note and that the Hudson County jail’s position is that its investigation is still open.

“We’ll also be filing a motion to reveal a confidential informant,” she said. “Although this is public information that is already out there. It’s been in the media as well.”

Andrew Glick, a former Pagan leader, told the Toronto Star that he isn't proud of his decision to turn state's witness.

“I preached never to do this (cooperate with authorities), but I never thought I’d be looking at 40 years,” Glick said. “It would basically be life for me.”

Augello is accused of hiring a hitman to kill April — a move prosecutors say was motivated by her now-deceased husband Dr. James Kauffman's desire to hide an opioid drug ring he ran with Augello through his Egg Harbor Township medical practice. Augello pleaded not guilty during his arraignment April 19.

Augello has been indicted on charges of murder of April Kauffman, the attempted murder of James Kauffman and leading the alleged drug-trafficking network.

Chief Assistant Prosecutor Seth Levy, who is representing the state in this case, said at Augello’s arraignment that there is a plea offer for Augello on murder, attempted murder and racketeering charges.

Six other defendants in the case pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering, distribution of drugs and conspiracy to distribute drugs as part of the drug ring:

Joseph Mulholland, 52, of the Villas section of Lower Township

Beverly Augello, 48, of Summerland Keys, Florida

Glenn Seeler, 37, of Sanford, North Carolina

Paul Pagano, 61, of Egg Harbor Township

Tabitha Chapman, 35, of Absecon

Cheryl Pizza, 36, of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

Those defendants were previously released from jail by Judge Bernard DeLury pending trial, while Augello remains in the Atlantic County jail.

Levy said they were all offered plea deals for first-degree racketeering, which could carry a maximum sentence of 20 years. Pagano, Mulholland, Chapman and Seeler have status conferences scheduled for June 14, along with co-defendant Beverly Augello, the ex-wife of Ferdinand Augello. Pizza is scheduled for a June 13 conference.

Augello's next status conference is scheduled for June 21 at 9 a.m.