Defense questions key witness' deal with Prosecutor's Office

Andrew Glick said he was given no deal to wear a wire and become an informant for the investigation into April Kauffman’s killing and the drug ring that allegedly sparked it. He is now a key witness in the trial of Ferdinand Augello, the only living person charged in Kauffman’s killing. But as cross-examination got fully underway Thursday, Augello’s defense attorney questioned how an arrest with guns and first-degree amounts of drugs turned into just second-degree drug charges that allowed Glick to be released Nov. 7, less than a week after his arrest at his Egg Harbor Township home. Ed Jacobs testified briefly about the letter he wrote naming Augello and the alleged shooter. Days later, he was setting up meetings with Augello, wearing a recording device and armed with the knowledge of a letter that named Augello as a potential suspect in the killing. That letter, sent by Dr. James Kauffman’s attorney Ed Jacobs, said Augello and Francis Mulholland could be connected, and that one or both were likely members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club. Jacobs briefly testified Thursday, validating the letter. Glick said he didn’t feel good about working against his friends. “I was not happy doing this,” Glick told defense attorney Mary Linehan. “I felt like a scumbag. But I was out.” That freedom came with a price, he said. He agreed to do whatever was asked of him. He had his own handler, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Sgt. James Scoppa. “How often did you see Sgt. Scoppa?” Linehan asked Glick. “More than I wanted to,” he replied. “Was it every day?” “No, but it felt like it.” Glick said he was nervous after Dr. Kauffman’s Egg Harbor Township practice was searched by investigators and the doctor went to jail for brandishing a gun and threatening to shoot himself June 13, 2017. He went through his own home and gathered up the drugs and guns, hiding them places — including an efficiency he had in Ocean City. Andrew Glick testifies for a fourth day. Not far from the Boardwalk and just two blocks from Ocean City High School, Linehan pointed out that keeping the drugs there constituted possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public zone as well as within a school zone. He was briefly questioned by investigators when he tried to retrieve his files as a patient for Kauffman from the Prosecutor’s Office. But in October, Glick felt safe and started again dealing methamphetamine and cocaine —which he said was less popular. “I felt comfortable for some reason,” he told Linehan. “Because I’m a dumbass.” He also had bad timing, it seems. On Nov. 1, he decided to gather his drugs, his guns and $37,000 in proceeds and bring them back to his home on Ridge Avenue. That night, he was arrested. But he had information investigators wanted. He went to a detention hearing facing four counts of second-degree drug charges, with no mention of the guns found on his property. Now, the charges have all been administratively dismissed, Linehan pointed out. “That’s what Scoppa told me,” Glick said. “I hope so… I haven’t seen any paperwork.” “But they offered you nothing for your cooperation?” Linehan asked at one point. “They didn’t offer me anything,” he said. Glick spent nearly three full days testifying on behalf of the state and introducing recorded conversations between him and Augello. Cross-examination is expected to continue Friday afternoon, when Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury is having a shortened trial day. The court usually suspends trial on Friday, as that is when sentencings are done. But Glick will be back on the stand at 1 p.m.

A LOOK AT THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF GLICK'S TESTIMONY