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SEATTLE - An eastside eye surgeon is in jail, accused in a murder-for-hire scheme.

Dr. Michael Mockovak is charged with two counts of solicitation to commit murder in the first degree.

Prosecutors say the Lasik eye surgeon tried to hire a hit man to kill his business partner, as well as a former employee who is suing for termination pay.

Mockovak pleaded not guilty.

According to charging papers Mockovac paid $10,000 down payment to kill his business partner, Dr. Joseph King. The two doctors own Clearly Lasik eye surgery center in Renton.

Court documents say business was declining and the partners had a falling out. According to court documents, the person Mokovac approached was an FBI informant.

In one meeting when Mockovac was asked how he wanted the murder done. He “replied that he thought drowning in the ocean sounded not bad.”

Dr. King responded to KING 5 in a written statement saying, “My family and I were shocked and horrified to learn that a business associate was allegedly planning and ordering my murder.”

Prosecutors say the second alleged victim, Dr. Brad Klock, is suing Mockovac for more than $300,000 in termination pay. Klock’s attorney says his client is hiking in Canada and was unaware of the murder plot until Monday.

A judge set Mockovac’s bail at $3 million, convinced he’s a flight risk and a danger to others.

Mockovac lives in Newscastle. Police and FBI agents raided his house late last week. Neighbors were surprised by the commotion and the charges

“He is just a really nice man. I know his business, just like every other business, cut back in the current economy. We have always had a good impression of him. He has always been a wonderful, nice man, so this is a shock,” said neighbor Cheryl Jiambalvo.

SEATTLE - An eastside eye surgeon is in jail, accused in a murder-for-hire scheme.

Dr. Michael Mockovak is charged with two counts of solicitation to commit murder in the first degree.

Prosecutors say the Lasik eye surgeon tried to hire a hit man to kill his business partner, as well as a former employee who is suing for termination pay.

Mockovak pleaded not guilty.

According to charging papers Mockovac paid $10,000 down payment to kill his business partner, Dr. Joseph King. The two doctors own Clearly Lasik eye surgery center in Renton.

Court documents say business was declining and the partners had a falling out. According to court documents, the person Mokovac approached was an FBI informant.

In one meeting when Mockovac was asked how he wanted the murder done. He “replied that he thought drowning in the ocean sounded not bad.”

Dr. King responded to KING 5 in a written statement saying, “My family and I were shocked and horrified to learn that a business associate was allegedly planning and ordering my murder.”

Prosecutors say the second alleged victim, Dr. Brad Klock, is suing Mockovac for more than $300,000 in termination pay. Klock’s attorney says his client is hiking in Canada and was unaware of the murder plot until Monday.

A judge set Mockovac’s bail at $3 million, convinced he’s a flight risk and a danger to others.

Mockovac lives in Newscastle. Police and FBI agents raided his house late last week. Neighbors were surprised by the commotion and the charges

“He is just a really nice man. I know his business, just like every other business, cut back in the current economy. We have always had a good impression of him. He has always been a wonderful, nice man, so this is a shock,” said neighbor Cheryl Jiambalvo.