TRUMBULL, Conn. (AP) -- More than three years after a fire destroyed Randal and Angela Licari's home just before Christmas and prompted an outpouring of fund-raising from neighbors to replace their children's gift, the couple have been charged with setting it.
Both were charged with first-degree arson, conspiracy to commit first-degree arson, first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny, insurance fraud and conspiracy to commit insurance fraud.
Angela Licari was arrested Friday night at their home, while her husband surrendered to police Tuesday morning. He was held on a $250,000 bond. She was released after posting $100,000 bond.
Police said as their home burned, presents and other items they claim were destroyed were safely stowed in a Newtown storage facility. They collected more than $350,000 from their insurance company and built a larger home, police said.
Authorities say the crime was uncovered during a Homeland Security investigation, but would not elaborate. Randal Licari is a supervisor of part of New York City's water supply and Rose Gill Hearn, commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation, acknowledged Tuesday that her office assisted in the investigation.
''It's troubling that Mr. Licari neglected his important duty to monitor the quality of the city's water supply at Croton Lake,'' Hearn said. ''Mr. Licari and his wife face serious consequences to their avarice and unlawful behavior.''
Randal Licari claimed at the time of the fire he had been working at Croton Lake. But police said there was a period of time that day when other workers said Licari could not be found.
Information from: Connecticut Post
