Eye Surgeon Suspected In Murder-For-Hire Plot
Michael Mockovak Co-Owns Clearly Lasik Laser Eye-Surgery Clinics
POSTED: 7:04 pm PST November 18,
2009
UPDATED: 7:16 pm PST November 18,
2009
VANCOUVER, Wash. -- The co-owner of the Clearly Lasik laser eye-surgery clinic in Vancouver is suspected of hiring a man to kill his business partner, according to court documents.Dr. Michael Mockovak, of Newcastle, Wash., was arrested by police and FBI agents in Seattle on Nov. 12.Mockovak posted $1 million bail Saturday but was rearrested Monday afternoon after prosecutors filed two charges of solicitation to commit first-degree murder.According to court documents, Mockovak is accused of offering people $25,000 to kill Dr. Joseph King because King was planning to leave the business partnership.Mockovak and King practiced laser eye surgery at the Clearly Lasik clinic in Vancouver and other centers in the northwest.Court papers indicate Mockovak expected to collect a $5 million life insurance policy following King's death.Documents state that Mockovak is also accused of trying to arrange the murder of Brad Klock, the former president of the Clearly Lasik clinics, who was suing for his salary after being fired.The man Mockovak allegedly asked to arrange the killing was a police informant, according to court documents.In a written statement, King said he was "horrified to learn a business associate was planning (his) murder."On Wednesday, the Vancouver clinic's general manager said she and her staff were trying to reassure patients."(People are) calling to verify that their appointments are set and to show support and concern, as expected, (for King) and his family. Everybody's confused, obviously. A lot of emotions," said Sheree Funkhouser.Mockovak bail is set at $3 million.
Laser Eye Surgeon Suspected In Murder-For-Hire Plot
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