Michigan Landlord Held Pending Sentencing in Arson Case

A 73-year-old West Michigan landlord faces sentencing later this year after being convicted of arson and other charges in a case involving insurance fraud.

A federal court jury in Grand Rapids last week convicted Gerald Singer of charges including arson, use of a fire to commit mail fraud and other charges after a four-week trial. Singer was taken into custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled for Aug. 21.

The Muskegon Chronicle reports defense attorney Michael Bartish says investigators started with the idea that Singer was guilty. He says Singer didn’t set fires or ask anyone to do that.

Singer was convicted in cases involving a 1999 commercial building fire in Norton Shores, a 2006 rental property fire in Muskegon and a 2007 fire at a four-unit Muskegon Heights apartment complex.