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Prosecutors: New Jersey Man Convicted Of Setting Fire At Strip Club He Claimed Was 'Robbing' Him And Other Patrons

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NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A man who sparked a fire at a strip club that he felt was robbing patrons has been convicted of aggravated arson.

Steve Cotto now faces up to five years in state prison when he's sentenced April 12.

Essex County prosecutors say the 61-year-old Irvington man threw Molotov cocktails and a gas can into the Paradizio Gentlemen's Club in Irvington, causing a fire that damaged the building. The fire was put out before it could damage other nearby buildings.

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Cotto was questioned after authorities learned he was seen leaving the club that night. Investigators say Cotto told them that club was "robbing" himself and other club patrons, but further details about those claims weren't disclosed.

(©Copyright 2019 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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