Missouri Restaurant Owner, Co-Defendants Guilty of Arson

A prominent Kansas City, Mo., restaurant owner and two co-defendants have been found guilty of conspiring to burn down the Hereford House four years ago.

The Kansas City Star reports a federal jury on Wednesday found 59-year-old Rod Anderson guilty of conspiracy, arson, mail fraud and using fire to commit a federal crime.

Anderson, part owner of the restaurant, was named Restaurateur of the Year in 1997 and received the Hospitality Leadership Award from the Hotel and Motel Association of Greater Kansas City in 2001.

Jurors convicted 58-year-old Vincent Pisciotta and 46-year-old Mark Sorrentino of the same charges as Anderson except mail fraud.

Prosecutors said competition in 2008 from new restaurants in the Power & Light District threatened the restaurant, and the men burned it down for insurance money.