Spice of India owner found guilty of arson, insurance fraud

May 19--YOUNGSTOWN -- The owner of a Market Street restaurant in Boardman that prosecutors say purposely was set on fire pleaded no contest Monday to charges of arson and insurance fraud in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Visiting Judge Thomas Pokorny found Rajendra Ingle, 42, of Streetsboro, guilty on both charges and set a sentencing date of July 20.

Ingle's trial was scheduled to begin Monday before the pleas.

Assistant Prosecutor Nick Brevetta said Ingle was one of four people involved in the arson of the Spice of India, 8398 Market St., on Oct. 8, 2013.

Brevetta told the judge that Ingle paid two people -- Jessie Winphrie, 23, and Christopher Reynolds, 21, $500 apiece to set fire to the restaurant. They were assisted by an employee, Sonia Bhatia, 24, who let them into the restaurant to start the blaze.

Winphrie, Reynolds and Bhatia pleaded guilty for their roles in the fire in December and are expected to be sentenced the same day as Ingle.

Brevetta said after the fire, Ingle submitted an insurance claim, but the claim was never paid because an investigation by the state fire marshal's office found the fire to be arson. The blaze destroyed the building, causing $250,000 in damage.

The landlord, Tzarnas Family Co. LLC, which gave Ingle possession of the restaurant late in 2012, sued Ingle for purportedly failing to pay the $2,000-a-month rent for two months while continuing to occupy the building. That civil suit is stayed pending the outcome of the criminal case.

Brevetta said the owner of the building does wish to be present at sentencing.

Damian Billak, Ingle's lawyer, said his client decided to plead no contest because of several civil suits he is facing over the restaurant and that plea helps him because he is not admitting any wrongdoing.

The prison term for the arson charge ranges from 9 to 36 months, Judge Pokorny said.

Ingle remains free on bond until his sentencing.

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