Authorities: LI men plead guilty in arson-for-profit scheme

Three Long Island men have pleaded guilty in federal court in White Plains in connection with an arson-for-profit scheme in Sullivan County, officials said Tuesday.

Prosecutors said Anthony Perso, 32, of Medford, helped to set a fire at Kilcoin's, an abandoned bar in Swan Lake, and owners Dominic Motta, 59, and Nicholas Motta, 43, both of Islandia, attempted to cash in on over $100,000 in insurance proceeds.

The insurance company discovered the fraud and refused to pay because Dominic Motta refused to answer questions about the fire under oath, according to the government.

The Mottas pleaded guilty to attempted mail fraud on Tuesday, and Perso pleaded guilty to the same charge on Oct. 23, the government said. The offense carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The three are scheduled to be sentenced next year.