Man pleads guilty to arson, sentenced
NORWICH – Michael J. Golotty, 26, Elmira, the man responsible for a fire that destroyed storage units in November of 2013, which housed (among other things) donations of toys for Toys for Tots, appeared in Chenango County Court and pleaded guilty to arson in the third degree, a class C felony. He was then sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of five to 10 years incarceration in state prison, as well as restitution to the victims to be paid in installments after his release. Golotty was remanded to Chenango County Correctional Facility until his relocation to state prison can be organized.
Chenango County Court Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr. also ordered a civil money judgment in favor of the insurance company for $229,106.14.
“Clearly, when I started the fire, I wasn't thinking it was going to burn throughout the whole thing. I'm sorry for what happened to Toys for Tots,” said Golotty when asked if he would like to make a statement.
According to a prior Evening Sun article, after the fire the community came together and was able to gather donations that exceeded the amount of toys that had been lost. This resulted in one of the most successful years on record for Toys for Tots.
“Mr. Golotty did a tremendous amount of damage that day,” said District Attorney Joseph McBride before sentencing. “I'm not sure if your intent was to start a fire or burn your girlfriend's property, but unfortunately, that fire spread and not only did you destroy the property of (the property owner), your girlfriend and the other people who owned these units, you put firefighters' lives at risk and everyone else's life at risk and that business is no longer there on East River Road.”
When asked if he would be in contact with his ex-girlfriend Golotty said, “No, I'm not coming back to this county.”
In his statement to the court he said, “... all the things that burned up, I didn't mean for that to happen. I just want to make sure Toys for Tots knows I'm very truly sorry about what happened to their stuff.”
After this statement Revoir said to Golotty, “When you get out, I hope you're a law abiding, contributing member of society in a positive way. I wish you good luck.”
Chenango County Court Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr. also ordered a civil money judgment in favor of the insurance company for $229,106.14.
“Clearly, when I started the fire, I wasn't thinking it was going to burn throughout the whole thing. I'm sorry for what happened to Toys for Tots,” said Golotty when asked if he would like to make a statement.
According to a prior Evening Sun article, after the fire the community came together and was able to gather donations that exceeded the amount of toys that had been lost. This resulted in one of the most successful years on record for Toys for Tots.
“Mr. Golotty did a tremendous amount of damage that day,” said District Attorney Joseph McBride before sentencing. “I'm not sure if your intent was to start a fire or burn your girlfriend's property, but unfortunately, that fire spread and not only did you destroy the property of (the property owner), your girlfriend and the other people who owned these units, you put firefighters' lives at risk and everyone else's life at risk and that business is no longer there on East River Road.”
When asked if he would be in contact with his ex-girlfriend Golotty said, “No, I'm not coming back to this county.”
In his statement to the court he said, “... all the things that burned up, I didn't mean for that to happen. I just want to make sure Toys for Tots knows I'm very truly sorry about what happened to their stuff.”
After this statement Revoir said to Golotty, “When you get out, I hope you're a law abiding, contributing member of society in a positive way. I wish you good luck.”
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