Landlord, 73, convicted of arsons

MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) - A Norton Shores landlord has been found guilty of 11 of federal 14 counts against him, including arson.

Authorities said Gerald Singer, 73, defrauded insurance companies out of more than $700,000 in false insurance claims, filed false federal income tax returns and concealed the payment of the insurance money from the Internal Revenue Service.

On Friday, a jury found Singer guilty of:

• One count of mail fraud
• Three counts of use of fire to commit mail fraud
• Two counts of arson
• Four counts of filing false tax documents
• One count of obstructing tax administration

The fires Singer allegedly started were on:

• March 1, 1993 at 530 Elliott St. in Grand Haven; insured by Allstate Insurance
• July 23, 1995 at 2809 Hoyt St. in Muskegon Heights; insured by Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance
• Sept. 1, 1997 at 2818 Peck St. and 2820 Peck St. in Muskegon Heights; insured by Auto Owners Insurance (these properties were known as the Airlines and Diamond Discount Motels)
• June 20, 1999 at 1292 E. Broadway Ave. in Norton Shores; insured by Hartford Insurance and Westport Insurance (this property was formerly known as "The Fair")
• Nov. 9, 2006 at 250 Myrtle St. in Muskegon; insured by Foremost Insurance
• Aug. 28, 2007 at 2608 - 2614 7th St. in Muskegon Heights; insured by Farm Bureau General Insurance Company

Singer was found not guilty on three more counts of use of fire to commit mail frause in connection to incidents on:

• Aug. 25, 1996 at 3101 Eighth St. in Muskegon Heights
• Aug. 22, 2002 at 2340 Wood St. in Muskegon Heights
• June 21, 2006 in Gary, Ind.

Singer was remanded to the custody of the US Marshals Office.  A sentencing date has not been set.