Anthony and Michael Paccione were sentenced to 87 months imprisonment and in excess of $2 million restitution following their federal conviction in the 1994 arson of their Levittown nightclub, which was alternately known as the Spit Nightclub and Uncle Sam's.

The Paccione brothers are both longtime Levittown residents and graduates of Division Avenue High School. Anthony Paccione was formerly a police officer but was fired in 1979 for "excessive sick leave."

On March 2, 1998 the brothers were arrested for setting fire to the building that was occupied by the Spit Nightclub and Bergen Tile Corp. According to police reports, the fire also caused extensive damage to the adjacent business of County Wide Home Mortgage and caused several adjoining businesses to suffer smoke and water damage.

The Pacciones were convicted on charges of both arson and mail fraud. The mail fraud charges were in connection with trying to collect the insurance proceeds. The brothers originally put in claims to the insurance company of approximately $600,000 and a business interruption claim in excess of $50,000. Their insurance company never paid these claims because the owners were under investigation for the fire but the insurance company of the building's owner paid in excess of $2 million. Bergen Tile, which was also affected by the fire, received approximately $300,000 for inventory that was damaged. It is to these insurance companies that the approximately $2 million of restitution must be paid.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert LaRusso, evidence was presented to the court indicating that the Pacciones committed this arson to pay back money that they had borrowed from members of the Gambino organized crime family. LaRusso stated, "What was presented to the court was that the Pacciones had an association with a man by the name of Anthony Vincuillo, who was a member of the Gambino crime family. He was a hidden investor and partner in the nightclub, prior to it being arsoned. He was owed money, obviously after it was over, and the defendants borrowed money from another organized crime member by the name of Peter Vario."

LaRusso added that the Pacciones also owed money to other members of organized crime and committed the arson to pay back the money they owed as well as to benefit from the money left over from defrauding the insurance company. The brothers had removed equipment such as stereos, audio equipment, tables, and chairs before the fire and then claimed those items as having been destroyed in the blaze.

The Pacciones have also been indicted in both Nassau County and Brooklyn on other criminal charges. They 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. 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 brothers have also been indicted on charges of armed robbery of a Costco in Brooklyn on Dec. 15, 1996. They have pled not guilty to all of these charges.

The brothers were sentenced to 87 months on the arson charges which was the least amount of time they could have received on these charges. This sentence was pronounced by Judge Jacob Mishler, who could have given them up to 110 months. According to LaRusso, because there is no longer parole in the federal system, they will most likely serve 85-90 percent of that time. They are eligible for "good time" and after they get out will be placed on Supervised Release. If they commit any additional crimes while on Supervised Release they can be sentenced up to three additional years.

The state charges in Nassau County and Brooklyn are still pending.