Model in Court Facing Estranged Husband Accused of Murder Plot

APRIL 21, 2014— -- Monica Olsen has appeared in magazines, billboards and even as the femme fatale hero in a comic book series.

Today, she’s expected to face her estranged husband, Dino Guglielmelli, in a San Fernando, Calif.,court. He’s accused of trying to have her killed.

The California couple once seemed to have it all. Guglielmelli is the founder of Creations Garden, a multimillion-dollar natural products company that distributed Olsen’s successful skincare line -- Skin by Monica Olsen -- to drugstores nationwide.

But the business went bust after Guglielmelli was arrested in October, accused of “attempted willful, deliberate and premeditated murder” and “solicitation of murder.”

He has pleaded not guilty.

Guglielmelli asked a friend and business associate to kill Olsen, according to court documents. The business associate recorded their conversations and went to police.

But defense attorney Anthony Brooklier said Guglielmelli was set up by a former friend in the midst of a bitter divorce battle.

“I think when you hear the tapes, when the jury hears the tapes, you’ll understand he was manipulated by somebody who was trying to help himself,” Brooklier said.

Alan Dershowitz, a lawyer, professor and the author of “Taking the Stand: My Life in the Law,” said the case will come down to what Guglielmelli is heard saying on those tapes.

“The final recording, which was done by the government, is the crucial recording,” Dershowitz, who has no connection to the case, said.

Olsen, 32, who has also gone by Monica Andreny, has not commented, but her representative says she is working to get her life back on track and is hoping to relaunch her skin care line.