During a brief hearing, Common Pleas Judge Glenn B. Bronson warned Cimini that if he skips bail he'll get the maximum sentence of 29 1/2 to 59 years in state prison. Cimini ensured the judge that he would show up.
In addition to arson, Cimini pleaded guilty to causing a catastrophe, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and failure to prevent a catastrophe. A burglary charge was dropped as part of the guilty plea.
Cimini broke into the building on Broad Street near Spruce on Feb. 21, at 6:30 a.m., by kicking in the glass front door and pushing his way in, Salib told the judge.
Once inside, security videos captured him spraying an aerosol can and then a fire extinguisher in a first-floor room. He then went to the third floor and used a lighter to start a fire in a storage room containing CDs and other merchandise, Salib said.
The fire destroyed recording equipment, gold and platinum records, merchandise and the studios where "The Sound of Philadelphia" artists, including the O'Jays, Patti LaBelle and others, made music.
Phil Asbury, PIR's senior vice president, said that the damage was so extensive, the studios are still inoperable. He said that he was pleased with the guilty plea.
Cimini's attorney, Gina A. Capuano, said that Cimini has no recollection of setting the fire because his blood-alcohol level was four times over the legal limit. He had to be rescued from the third floor by firefighters.
Capuano said that she'd ask the judge to sentence Cimini to house arrest because this is his first arrest and such a sentence would allow the iron worker to continue supporting his two children. "His intentions from the beginning were to accept responsibility for his actions," she said.
