The manager of a popular New Jersey diner has pleaded not guilty to charges he tried to hire a hit man to kill his uncle.

Tick Tock Diner in Clifton
Tick Tock Diner in Clifton (Tick Tock Diner)
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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.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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