Georgios Spyropoulos appeared in court in Paterson Friday in shackles. He has been held on $1 million bail since his arrest Wednesday.
Prosecutors allege Spyropoulos asked an undercover state trooper posing as a hit man to kill Alexandros Sgourdos and to get rid of the body. Sgourdos co-owns the Tick Tock diners in Clifton and Manhattan.
Spyropoulos is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Spyropoulos' attorney tells The Associated Press his client's family is "mortified and distraught" over the allegations.
