N.Y. Businessman Sentenced to Prison for Arson

New York Superintendent of Insurance Gregory Serio announced that an Auburn businessman pled guilty to a charge of attempted arson and was sentenced to one to three years in State prison. Francis Rikhoff reportedly attempted arson in order to collect insurance monies for TNY Car Toyz, a store he managed in Auburn, Cayuga County.

Rikhoff, of Syracuse, was arrested on Feb. 13, 2003 after the store and its contents were destroyed during a suspicious fire that occurred on Feb. 9, 2003.

An investigation reportedly revealed that Rikhoff hired Paul Sztanek, a store employee, to set the fire. Sztanec was also charged with arson and agreed to cooperate with the investigation.