PITTSBURG -- A Pittsburg business owner was arrested on conspiracy charges Friday after he hired an officer posing as a hit man to "disfigure" one of his former employees, police said.

Joseph Mosis, owner of plastic-cutting and aluminum-framing firm Monsam Enterprises, was arrested about 10 p.m. after he provided a series of "graphic details" about his desire to assault a former employee over a labor dispute, Pittsburg police Lt. Ron Raman said. Mosis, 52, was upset over a settlement the employee had received, and described looking for an "enforcer" to take care of him.

After learning of the man's intentions, police enlisted an undercover officer to pose as a hit man and meet up with Mosis to discuss a plan, Raman said. During the meeting, Mosis described the ways in which he wanted the employee's body disfigured, provided documents showing his intent and agreed on a price for the crime to be carried out.

Police arrested Mosis on suspicion of conspiracy to commit aggravated mayhem after searching his home and business shortly after the meeting, Raman said. He remains in custody in lieu of $1.5 million bail.

VIA mercurynews