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St. Cloud, MN (KROC-AM News) - The owner of what had been a well-known bar in central Minnesota has been sentenced to nearly 6 years in prison for setting the business on fire.

43-year-old Andrew Welsh previously entered a guilty plea to a federal arson charge for setting the fire in hopes of collecting on an insurance policy. He is also been ordered to pay more than $3 million in restitution.

Photo: Conner Dols
Photo: Conner Dols
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Welsh was the owner of the Press Bar and Parlor in St. Cloud. It had been a popular establishment for students attending nearby St. Cloud State University. The arson fire on February 17, 2020 totally destroyed the building. Federal prosecutors say Welsh ignited the blaze after pouring gasoline in his basement office.

Photo: Kyle Schroeder
Photo: Kyle Schroeder
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Court records indicate Welsh later submitted an insurance claim for losses associated with the fire and falsely claimed the "loss did not originate by any act, design, or procurement" on his part.

 

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