Conn. club owner convicted in 'hit man' caper

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — The owner of popular Stamford nightclub has been convicted of convincing his barber to hire a "hit man" to break the legs of a construction worker who wouldn't give him kickbacks on jobs.

Joseph Gabriele, the owner of Monster B's, faces up to 10 years in prison after a jury found him guilty Wednesday of inciting injury to persons.

The 56-year-old Gabriele's lawyer told the Connecticut Post he was "disappointed" because the entire case was based on the testimony of an admitted heroin user.

He is scheduled to be sentenced by Jan. 24.

The barber testified that Gabriele offered him a cheap rate on a Stamford apartment if he hired a hit man to break the legs of the intended victim. The "hit man" was an undercover Connecticut State Police detective.

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Information from: Connecticut Post