Burning Friend Alive for Money, Life Insurance Fraud — New York

Amount: >$140,000

A New York man was betrayed by a close friend of thirty-three years and burned alive in a house fire in order for the friend to collect the life insurance money. The fraudster was convicted in May of numerous felonies, including first-degree murder in connection with an arson fire and death of his friend. The fraudster and his wife intentionally murdered the victim and set his home on fire in an attempt to collect more than $140,000 in life insurance money. Several fire departments responded to the residence around 4:40 am on February 14, 2016 to put out the blaze. The fire was investigated by the New York State Police, the Steuben County Fire Investigation Team and the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control. Although the county fire investigator could not determine exactly what caused the fire that leveled the home, a state fire investigator introduced evidence that indicated that the fire was accelerant based and started in the basement. Over 120 exhibits were introduced into evidence, including text messages between the married murderers, video surveillance from residences and businesses, and cell phone mapping that placed both murderers at the scene of the crime during the late night and early morning hours of February 14-15, 2016. The video evidence shows the couple driving to the house several times that night and carrying items that look like accelerant and a blow torch into the victim's residence. After allegations of misconduct, accusations against the grand jury process, and attacks on the prosecution, the male defendant has received twenty-three years to life in prison for first-degree murder in the fire death of his friend, and two and one-third to seven years for attempted insurance fraud.