New York Man Charged with Torching Defunct Nightclub

A suburban Albany, New York businessman remains jailed on charges he burned down a defunct rock club he’d recently acquired.

Town of Colonie police say 43-year-old Akiva Abraham of Rexford is being held without bail Monday after being charged with arson, insurance fraud and falsifying business records.

Police arrested Abraham Friday, two weeks after an early morning fire destroyed Saratoga Winners. The longtime concert venue was empty at the time and hadn’t been open for several years.

Authorities say he acquired the property for free from the previous owners. They say he insured the building for $475,000 and set the fire as part of an insurance scheme.

Police didn’t know if Abraham has a lawyer.