Anthony and Michael Paccione, of Levittown have been convicted of conspiracy to commit arson, arson and several counts of mail fraud and are currently awaiting sentencing on these convictions.

According to the Nassau County Police Reports Anthony and Michael Paccione were arrested on March 2, 1998 for setting fire to the building that was occupied by Bergen Tile Corp. and the Pacciones' club, the Spit Nightclub, which was also known as Uncle Sam's, on April 7, 1994. The fire had also caused extensive damage to the adjacent business of County Wide Home Mortgage and caused several adjoining businesses to suffer smoke and water damage. At the time of the fire Eugene Pietzak, the fire investigator from the Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office told the Levittown Tribune, "The fire is suspicious." He added at that time, "Nothing is ruled out at this time" and stated that the ongoing investigation would include background checks and checks of business records and documents. After four years, they were able to gather enough information to make the arrests.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Conway said that his office believes that the motive for the arson was to collect the insurance money to cover their extensive debts. "The mail fraud," Conway said "was in connection with trying to collect the insurance proceeds."

At the time of the fire, Anthony Paccione stated, "I am saddened to say the least. Right now we are in a state of shock." Over the years there had been much opposition to the club's operations by the club's neighbors on Division Avenue.

The two brothers are graduates of Division Avenue High School and longtime residents of Levittown. Anthony Paccione was formerly a police officer but was fired in 1979. According to Conway, "the official reason was excessive sick leave."

The sentencing date for the Pacciones is currently set for September 25. According to Conway the statutory penalty calls for 10 years on each count.

Anthony and Michael Paccione were also arrested on April 12, 1997 and have been indicted in Nassau County for Robbery in the first degree, Criminal Impersonation to Commit a Felony, Criminal Use of a Firearm, and Robbery in the second degree. They were held on $200,000 bond for these felonies. These charges came after the brothers allegedly identified themselves as police officers, displayed badges and then proceeded to rob Cozy Mel's in Westbury on March 30, 1997. The men who committed the crime, according to witnesses, were armed during the robbery and threatened the managers of the restaurant with the weapons. According to papers in the Nassau County Courthouse the brothers have produced six people who are willing to provide alibis for them. These people state that they were at their home in Levittown at the time of the incident. Orders of Protection for witnesses of the robbery are on file at the courthouse against the brothers. The Pacciones have pled not guilty to these charges and final determination on whether this case will go to trial has been scheduled for September 23.

The brothers have also been indicted for an armed robbery in Brooklyn on December 15, 1996. According to Conway they have been charged with the robbery of a Costco in Brooklyn but they have both pled not guilty to these charges.

While the robbery charges in Nassau and Brooklyn are still pending, the arson case was settled by a jury recently. Steve Zissou, the Pacciones' lawyer was unavailable for comment on the case. The brothers will be sentenced by Judge Jacob Mishler in U.S. District Court in Uniondale.