Posted on: Tuesday, March 23, 2004

Man charged in case of slain millionaire

Associated Press

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. — Daniel Pelosi, the Long Island electrician who became the focus of tabloid headlines — and a grand jury probe — after he married the widow of bludgeoned investment banker Theodore Ammon, was ordered to surrender to face charges in the killing, the district attorney told the Associated Press yesterday.

Ammon, whose estate was worth a reported $100 million, ran the private equity firm Chancery Lane Capital and was chairman of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Pelosi, 40, of Center Moriches, who is also awaiting a May 17 trial in Hawai'i for allegedly assaulting a crew member during a dinner cruise in January, was identified last summer by a Long Island judge as the prime suspect in the killing.

"An indictment has been filed by a special grand jury," Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.

Pelosi will plead not guilty.

In Hawai'i, Pelosi was charged with first-degree assault for allegedly punching a waiter in the face. Prosecutors said Pelosi became angry because the crew member decided to stop serving alcohol to a woman who was with him on the Jan. 18 cruise aboard the Maui Princess.

Pelosi, who married Ammon's widow three months after his death, had helped oversee the installation of a security system at the millionaire's estate.

Advertiser staff writer Tim Hurley contributed to this report.