Kansas City, Mo. — The co-owner of a popular Kansas City steakhouse that was destroyed by fire is facing federal arson charges.
A grand jury returned a four-count indictment Tuesday against 57-year-old Rodney Anderson, who was co-owner of the downtown Hereford House and the company that managed it.
An explosion and fire destroyed the landmark restaurant in October 2008. Federal prosecutors allege that Anderson hired someone to start the fire, then submitted insurance claims worth roughly $2.5 million.
Anderson is charged with arson, conspiracy to commit arson, mail fraud and using fire to commit a federal felony.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday and was released without bond.
Anderson faces up to 55 years in prison if convicted.
The Hereford House website lists locations in Shawnee and Leawood, Kan., Kansas City and Independence, as well as Pierpont’s at Union Station.
The restaurant formerly operated in Lawrence as both a Hereford House and the HH Bar and Grill, both at 4931 W. Sixth St.
Comments
jafs 7 years, 12 months ago
How is it that a property crime which hurt nobody physically is subject to a possible jail term of 55 years, while we're letting rapists/murderers out in a small fraction of that time?
Doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
Tyson Travis 7 years, 12 months ago
jafs~ The fact that this was on the face a crime against property doesn't tell all of the story. This fire was probably set to cover up business losses and defraud the insurance companies, but more importantly, the first responders [fire, police, etc] have to go in harm's way to search the premises and try to extinguish the fire, many of them have been killed responding to nonsense like this.
Majestic42 7 years, 12 months ago
Stay classy, Anderson. Looks like I'm not going to Hereford House ever again.
Reuben Turner 7 years, 11 months ago
i've never understood that either. you can kill someone and a little time, like 5-10. but you do something that doesn't relate to harming no one, just trying to get over, and you get a whole bunch of years. well i be....
matahari 7 years, 11 months ago
Makes no sense? Makes perfect sense! From whom can you make more money? A low life murderer , probably broke or a business owner with insurance?
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