KENNEWICK, Wash. - A surgeon at a local office is accused of hiring a hitman to kill his business partner. The local surgeon is Dr. Michael Mockovak. He is a laser eye surgeon with offices in Canada, Oregon and Washington including one here in Kennewick.
Mockovak lives in Newcastle, Washington but is co-owner of Clearly Lasik off of Gage Blvd. Mockovak has performed many surgeries there and was arrested by the FBI and Seattle Police last Thursday. He has was released on a $1 million bail Saturday.
Mockovak is charged with two counts to commit first degree murder in connection with an alleged plot to kill his business partner and a former colleague. He is accused of hiring an informant he thought was a Russian hitman for 25-thousand dollars to kill Dr. Joseph King. King is co-founder of the company and released this statement.
King said, "We are deeply grateful to law enforcement agencies. It is incomprehensible how someone could deliberately plan to take someone's life and completely devastate a family. We feel very blessed to be alive." King adds that he will continue to provide care for his patients.
Mockovak is scheduled to be arraigned in King County Court Wednesday.
