Fire Rescue News- Hammonton man admits arson, will get five years in plea agreement

Posted: Monday, February 27, 2012 1:56 pm | Updated: 11:37 pm, Mon Feb 27, 2012.

Press staff reportspressofAtlanticCity.com

Hammonton businessman Sam Siligato admitted in Camden County Superior Court on Monday that he conspired to set fire to a Camden County dwelling in 2005.

Siligato, 62, already is serving an 11-year prison sentence after a jury found him guilty of.....Continue Reading

submitting false insurance claims following a 1998 arson at another property he owned in Camden County.

Under Monday’s plea agreement, the state will recommend Siligato be sentenced to five years in prison, which would run concurrently with the existing prison term — meaning it will add no time to his current sentence.

A jury convicted Siligato in 2006 of submitting nearly $400,000 in false property-damage claims to two insurance companies after a 1998 fire at a commercial property he owned in Winslow Township. The jury also found he tried to influence two witnesses to give false testimony at his trial.

Siligato did not begin serving that term until last October, when his appeals ran out.

He was sentenced in September 2006, but was freed Feb. 2, 2007, pending appeal.

While free, further investigation determined that the 2005 fire — at a different Winslow property — was arson. Siligato then was indicted for aggravated arson, conspiracy and obstructing the administration of the law.

He is scheduled to be sentenced March 23. In addition to the five years, the state also will recommend he pay $83,354.84 in restitution to Farm Family Casualty Insurance Company.

Contact Lynda Cohen:

609-272-7257

LCohen@pressofac.com