Pino’s Motive and Involvement
When prominent developer Sergio Pino sought what the FBI called “murder crews” to kill his wife, he allegedly did not look far for the men now accused of assembling them.
The Men in the Murder Crews and the Plots
The criminal complaints describe a tangled web of men previously convicted of felonies, including kidnapping, attempted murder, armed robbery, drug dealing, and other crimes. And they were assembled by two middlemen who had direct ties to the Pinos’ $8 million waterfront home, Lapointe said.
Pino’s Fate
A roofing project was underway Tuesday when an FBI SWAT team moved in to arrest Pino on murder-for-hire charges. Rather than be taken into custody, the 67-year-old leader of Century Homebuilders group fatally shot himself in his upstairs bedroom.
Tangled Web of Involvement
The motive, one of those charged told the FBI, was that Tatiana Pino would not accept his $20 million to end a 32-year marriage that had amassed by 2022 a net worth that divorce court records variously put at $153 million or $359 million.
FBI Allegations
As federal law enforcement sees it, all roads in the investigation led to Pino.
"In addition to Sergio Pino’s alleged role at the head of this scheme," said FBI Miami Agent in Charge Jeffrey Veltri, "our evidence has shown he hired and gave orders to murder crews. There were at least two separate crews involved."
Authorities Were ‘Disturbed at the Level of Brazenness’
The only man to escape charges was Sergio Pino. The chief federal prosecutor said he was relentless and knew authorities were onto him.
"That didn’t bother him at all," Lapointe said. "In fact, law enforcement, to the extent we can discuss this at all, felt somewhat disturbed at the level of brazenness that he had."
Conclusion
The investigation revealed a complex web of connections and motivations that led to the alleged murder-for-hire plot against Tatiana Pino. While the outcome is tragic, it serves as a reminder of the devastating impact that seemingly innocuous relationships can have on individuals and families.
FAQs
Q: What was the motive behind the alleged murder-for-hire plot?
A: The motive was reportedly that Tatiana Pino would not accept her husband’s offer of $20 million to end their 32-year marriage.
Q: How many men are currently facing charges in connection with the case?
A: So far, two men are facing murder-for-hire charges, while others have been charged with various crimes, including arson and stalking conspiracy.
Q: What is the current status of the investigation?
A: The investigation is ongoing, with authorities looking into additional charges that may be filed in the future.
