Man pleads guilty to wine cellar arson

SACRAMENTO, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- A former California wine connoisseur accused of starting a 2005 warehouse fire that destroyed millions of bottles has pleaded guilty to arson, observers said.

Mark Anderson, 61, formerly of Sausalito, Calif., admitted guilt Monday to a fire he started four years ago at his Vallejo, Calif., wine storage cellar in which 6 million fine wines stored there by vintners and collectors went up in flames, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Anderson made the plea in U.S. District Court in Sacramento, Calif., and in so doing avoided a trial that was set to begin Monday, the newspaper said. Prosecutors reportedly had 56 witnesses lined up to testify against Anderson, including a parade of wine collectors who contend the fire caused them much emotional and financial damage.

Prosecutors will recommend that Anderson, who is to be sentenced Jan. 26, receive a 15-year term, rather than what would have amounted to a life sentence. He has already served nearly three years in jail since his arrest, the Chronicle said.

Authorities contended Anderson started the fire to cover up his thefts of wine from clients, which he allegedly sold to finance a luxurious lifestyle.