Federal prosecutors have begun plea negotiations with the nine men accused of being involved in a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by developer Sergio Pino, who tragically died by suicide last July just as FBI agents were about to arrest him. Pino, the former CEO of Century Homebuilders Group, was under investigation for attempting to hire hitmen to murder his estranged wife, Tatiana Pino, amidst a bitter divorce dispute over millions of dollars.
According to court records, defense lawyers have requested additional time to discuss potential plea agreements with Assistant U.S. Attorney Abbie Waxman, citing the complexity of the case and the thousands of pages of evidence they have to review. U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles granted a delay in the trial, pushing it back to May 5, 2025.
The case, which involves charges such as stalking, arson, and conspiracy to commit murder, has attracted significant attention due to the involvement of several individuals from various backgrounds. These men were allegedly recruited by Pino and his associates to carry out a series of attacks on his wife, including an attempted murder and acts of arson. The investigation culminated in the discovery of Pino’s plot to kill his wife and frame it as a suicide.
Pino’s death removed him from being the primary defendant, but the remaining defendants face serious charges. The case has been complicated by the large volume of discovery, which includes phone data and wiretap evidence. Plea talks are expected to continue as the defense lawyers seek to resolve the case and avoid a lengthy trial.
