Wife to testify about plot to blow up Muslim gathering place

TAMPA, Fla. -- The wife of a podiatrist charged in a plot to blow up a Muslim gathering place has agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors in a plea bargain, officials said Monday.

Robert Goldstein and his wife, Kristi Goldstein, are accused of planning to blow up an Islamic education center in St. Petersburg. Goldstein, who is Jewish, is described in court documents as seeking to retaliate for the Sept. 11 attacks and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Explosives, bomb-making materials, bulletproof vests, 25,000 rounds of ammunition and a typed list of 50 Islamic worship centers in the Tampa Bay area were found in the couple's home, authorities say.

Kristi Goldstein, 28, signed court documents last week agreeing to plead guilty and cooperate with authorities in the case against her husband, the U.S. attorney's office said.

She allegedly shared her husband's fascination with firearms and explosives and knew of his plan to launch the attack on the Islamic Society of Pinellas County.

Robert Goldstein's attorney, Myles Malman, said his client is mentally ill and never planned to carry out the plot.

Kristi Goldstein was arrested in October and charged with illegal possession of destructive devices and two counts of making false statements to authorities. Under the plea agreement, the false-statements charges will be dropped and prosecutors will recommend a lesser sentence than the 10-year maximum on the remaining charge.

Kristi Goldstein's attorney, Brent Armstrong, wouldn't comment Monday.