Ex-TV chef pleads no contest to plot to kill wife

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The former “Calorie Commando” TV chef has pleaded no contest to charges in California that he hired homeless men in a failed attempt to kill his wife.

Los Angeles County prosecutors say 48-year-old Juan Carlos Cruz entered the plea Tuesday to solicitation of murder. He faces up to nine years in state prison when he is sentenced in December.

A count of attempted murder will be dismissed.

Cruz was arrested in May by Santa Monica police after a homeless man reported being offered $500 to kill Cruz’s wife, Jennifer L. Campbell, who is a 47-year-old attorney.

Police say they set up a sting operation and videotaped Cruz arranging the killing with several homeless men.

Cruz hosted the “Calorie Commando” show on the Food Network that ended four years ago. He published a cookbook.

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