You forgot the part where he willingly tried to hire a hitman (who was an undercover agent) to kill someone.

Never entered into evidence.

It was entered into evidence, the charge was dropped in 2018.

OK, Entered into evidence, then dismissed WITH PREJUDICE. Wonder why a prosecutor would engage in such a tactic?

Whatevs.

Do you have a reasonable hypothesis on what the backstage to this show might have been?
Or a sensible guess?
Or a crazy, tinfoil hat one?

My only take (I've not studied the issue in depth) is somewhere between sensible guess and tinfoil hat: to wit - likely entrapment.