Man admits role in foiled, cat-related murder plot

EAST ST. LOUIS — An Illinois man faces up to 20 years in federal prison now that he’s admitted his role in a foiled plot to abduct, extort and electrocute a wealthy man and to make it appear he’d been killed accidentally by his cat.

Brett Nash of Pontoon Beach pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony count of solicitation of a violent crime. Four other counts are to be dropped.

Federal investigators have identified the intended victim as a former corporate attorney who had long pursued a sexual relationship with Nash’s wife.

Authorities allege Nash explored a plan to force the intended victim into a hot tub and electrocute him by tossing in a radio and the man’s cat, with the hope of misleading authorities into thinking he was accidentally killed by his pet.