SEATTLE --

A well-known eye surgeon pleaded not guilty Wednesday in what prosecutors say was a murder-for-hire-plot.

Prosecutors said the conspiracy stemmed from an ownership dispute between the co-founders of Clearly Lasik eye clinics.

Authorities allege that 51-year-old eye surgeon Dr. Michael Mockovak wanted his business partner, who is also his former brother-in-law, dead.

Dr. Joseph King, the alleged victim, was in court today, along with his wife.

Prosecutors said Mockovak asked an employee who worked at the company's Renton clinic to help him hire the Russian mafia to kill Dr. King and a former president of Clearly Lasik.

Police said that employee called the FBI.

"If the informant had been willing to accept the $100,000 and promotion Dr. Mockovak offered him, then Dr. King would be dead today," Prosecutor Susan Storey said in court.

According to court records, Mockovak told the informant that King would be vacationing in Australia with his family this month and suggested that "death by drowning" wasn't a bad idea.

"We know in recorded conversations that when the defendant was told the Russian mafia had found Dr. King, and that it would only be a matter of time, (Dr. Mockovak) responded, 'Good! Good!'" said Storey.

When he was arrested, Mockovak posted a $1 million bond. When charges were filed Monday, the bail was increased to $3 million.

Mockovak's attorney argued for a lower bail, citing the doctor's lack of criminal history.

King made a passionate plea to the judge to increase the bail, saying he and his family are "absolutely terrified."

"He knows so many details about our lives that I am tremendously concerned that if he's released, he will come to finish the job," said King.

The judge decided to lower bail to $2 million but ordered Mockovak to surrender his passport and not come within a half-mile of his alleged victim, his family, or any of the Clearly Lasik clinics.