This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Sherman Oaks Man Gets 18 Years Prison for Fraud, Hiring Hitmen
Photo by CarbonNYC via Flickr
A 28-year-old Sherman Oaks man today was sentenced to 18 years in prison after hiring a hitman to kill a witness involved in a different case against him. “You’re your own worst enemy," said United States District Judge Percy Anderson. In 2008, an Immigration Customs Enforcement informant provided information about Pavel Valkovich's involvement in a bank fraud scheme, which led to his arrest, according to the United States Attorney's Office. Once arraigned, attorneys said he then tried to hire a hitman to kill the informant for $10,000 in a drive by shooting. Authorities caught wind of that plan and arrested Valkovich again on those charges. Once in jail, he tried to hire yet another hitman to kill both the informant and previous hitman. That backfired, too.
Valkovich was sentenced 37 months for the bank fraud scheme and 180 months for soliciting the murder of the informants.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
