The Millionaire, the Model and the Hit Man | Full Episode

Dino Guglielmelli exhibited a profound need for control, extending from his business practices (requiring employees to attend his band's shows) to his personal life (cheating on his wife, attempting to control Monica's career). When Monica sought independence and their divorce proceedings threatened his financial assets and custody, his desire for control escalated to a murder-for-hire plot. He was ordered to pay $55,000 a month in alimony, which was later reduced to $25,000, but still deemed unacceptable by him, leading to the decision to have Monica killed.

Monica's friend Olya Banar stated, 'I think Dino was scared of losing control of Monica. He started being more aggressive, more controlling towards her.' Rick Furman noted Dino was a 'complete control freak' who 'had to win at the end of the day.' Dino's ex-wife, Lisha Divine, described him as 'Jekyll and Hyde' and 'callous, mean, calculating' during their divorce. The final straw was his attorney advising him to just pay the $25,000/month alimony, which Dino interpreted as losing.

Rick Furman, initially hired by Dino to orchestrate Monica's murder, was himself a con man who had fabricated a multi-million dollar military contract to defraud Dino. Despite his deceptive nature, Furman chose not to carry out the murder. Instead, he stalled Dino for months, even lying about infecting Monica with HIV to buy time, and eventually reported the plot to authorities. His decision to cooperate and wear a wire was pivotal in securing evidence against Dino.

Rick Furman stated, 'Dino Gugliemelli hired me to murder his wife.' He admitted to telling Dino Monica was 'infected with AIDS' to stall him, and that Dino 'smiled' at this news. Prosecutor Emily Cole confirmed Furman 'forged Department of Defense documents to lead Mr. Guglielmeli to believe that there was some big business deal' and that he did this 'to keep Mr. Guglielmeli happy because a happy Dino doesn't want to kill his wife.' Furman wore a wire to record Dino's confession.

Authorities, alerted by Rick Furman, orchestrated a sting operation where Furman wore a wire during a lunch meeting with Dino. During this conversation, Dino unequivocally confirmed his desire for Monica's death, his willingness to pay $80,000, and his understanding that there was 'no turning back' once the plan was in motion. He even expressed indifference to his children losing their mother, stating he would 'find them a good one.'

On the recording, Furman asked Dino, 'You're positive that what? You want her dead.' Dino responded, '100%.' When asked about the children, Dino said, 'They'll be much better off without her. I will find them a good mother.' He also confirmed the $80,000 payment. Prosecutor Emily Cole stated, 'This was a clear declaration that he wanted his wife dead. No matter the consequences.'

Despite the clear audio evidence, Dino Guglielmelli consistently denied seriously intending to kill Monica, claiming he was manipulated by Rick Furman and didn't take the conversations seriously. He portrayed himself as the victim of Furman's con. However, facing overwhelming evidence, he accepted a plea deal for attempted murder in the second degree, resulting in a nine-year prison sentence.

Dino stated, 'I'm guilty of allowing myself to be betrayed and manipulated. I'm guilty of trusting too much.' He claimed, 'I wasn't going out trying to find somebody to knock off my wife.' He later said, 'I didn't think anybody was going to be killed. I mean, I'm just answering the question. I didn't know what the tape appears to be like, but I didn't take any of it seriously.' He took the plea deal after his family 'pleaded' with him.