Repayment sought for Moonda’s burial

Prosecutors also want Donna Moonda to sign over the Jaguar.

By LAURE CIOFFI

VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU

AKRON — Federal prosecutors want Donna Moonda to repay burial costs to her husband’s estate since she was convicted of the murder-for-hire plot in his death.

Court papers filed Thursday ask that she repay $11,214 to the estate for burial costs and $2,808.22 to Drs. Faroq and Afreen Moonda, the victim’s nephew and wife, for the purchase of a grave marker.

Donna Moonda, 48, was convicted earlier this year of interstate stalking, murder for hire and other charges in the May 13, 2005, shooting death of her wealthy husband, Dr. Gulam Moonda of Hermitage, Pa., on the side of the Ohio Turnpike.

The jury decided she should spend the rest of her life in prison. Her former lover and the triggerman, Damian Bradford, 26, of Beaver County, Pa., is serving a 171⁄2-year sentence in federal prison after making a plea agreement to testify against Moonda at her trial.

According to court papers, the interstate stalking charge requires mandatory restitution regardless of the defendant’s economic status. In addition to burial costs, restitution can also include lost wages, prosecutors wrote. Testimony at trial showed Dr. Moonda earned approximately $600,000 annually.

Assets

Prosecutors said that even though there is a dispute with Donna Moonda over her assets, she should have sufficient resources to pay her husband’s burial and monument expenses, a total of $14,022.22.

Before her trial, it was revealed that Moonda had personal retirement accounts valued at $125,000 to $175,000 and jewelry valued at $200,000.

In addition, prosecutors are asking that the 2000 Jaguar XJ8 sedan, the car in which Dr. Moonda was shot, be turned over to the estate. The car is in Donna Moonda’s name and is being held by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Court papers state that the Kelley Blue Book value of the vehicle in fair condition is $11,850, but given its condition, the car value is probably significantly less.

Donna Moonda is scheduled to be formally sentenced next Friday by U.S. District Judge David Dowd.

cioffi@vindy.com