Landlord Sentenced to 55 Years in Arson Case

A 74-year-old West Michigan landlord convicted of arson and other charges in a case involving insurance fraud has been sentenced to 55 years in prison.

A federal court jury in Grand Rapids earlier this year convicted Gerald Singer of charges including arson, use of a fire to commit mail fraud and other charges after a four-week trial.

MLive.com reports Singer didn’t address the court during Thursday’s sentencing hearing. Defense attorney Michael Bartish plans an appeal, saying 55 years was too harsh.

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.