Ex-NYC man pleads guilty on Bass home invasion

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a former New York City man has pleaded guilty in connection with a 2007 home invasion and $8.5 million extortion attempt at the Connecticut home of philanthropist Anne H. Bass.

Thirty-three-year-old Michael Kennedy, also known as Nicolae Helerea, pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court in Hartford to attempted extortion and conspiracy. Each of the charges carries a possible maximum of 20 years in prison.

Prosecutors said Kennedy, a former resident of Queens and Romania, helped plan and carry out the home invasion. Prosecutors said the intruders injected Bass and a friend with what they claimed was a deadly virus and demanded the money for an antidote. The substance was harmless.

In August, Bass's former butler, Emanuel Nicolescu, was sentenced to 20 years for attempted extortion, conspiracy and other charges.