NJ Doctor Had Wife Killed When She Threatened to Expose His Drug Network: Prosecutors

By Zachary Stieber
January 10, 2018 Last Updated: January 10, 2018
In this May 25, 2016, photo, Kim Pack poses with a photo of her late mother, talk-show host April Kauffman, in Linwood, N.J. Pack's stepfather, Dr. James Kauffman, was charged in the murder of her mother April on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. Kauffman, a New Jersey doctor running an illegal prescription opioid drug ring with a motorcycle gang had a member hire someone to kill his wife after she threatened to expose the scheme while trying to force him to agree to a divorce, authorities said Tuesday. (Vernon Ogrodnek/The Press of Atlantic City via AP)

A popular New Jersey doctor has been charged in an alleged murder-for-hire plot that led to the death of his wife.

Dr. James Kauffman is accused of having his wife killed after she threatened to expose his fraudulent drug network, prosecutors said this week.

James Kauffman is shown in an undated photo provided by the Atlantic County, NJ, Prosecutor’s office. (Atlantic County, NJ, Prosecutor’s office via AP)

Kauffman planned to build a massive opioid drug ring with the Pagans motorcycle gang, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner told the Press of Atlantic City.

“He was intent to rather have her killed as opposed to losing his financial empire, as he described it to several individuals,” Tyner said during a press conference on Jan. 9. “We are very excited today because this has gone on for far too long.”


Kauffman, now 68, searched for a year before finding someone to kill April Kauffman, a radio personality.

Prosecutors said the hitman, Francis Mullholland, who is now dead, was paid at least $20,000 and given a gun. On his way out of the house on May 10, 2012, Kauffman left the doors open so Mullholland could enter and kill his wife.

Kaufmann, who practiced in Mays Landing, is already being held in jail on weapons charges, reported the Philadelphia Inquirer.

He’s now been charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and racketeering.

The cold case sat unsolved for a year until Tyner was named the new district prosecutor, reported ABC.

As part of his new authority, he ordered a review of all cold cases.

 

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