NEW YORK: Empire State Building Climbers Face Possible Prison and Deportation as Plea Talks Stall
The couple who climbed the Empire State Building in July face felony charges. Their lawyer says a misdemeanor plea deal fell through; prosecutors dispute that any offer was withdrawn.
The couple who climbed the Empire State Building in July could face prison time and deportation to Russia if convicted of felony charges, according to their attorney.
Ivan Kuznetsov and Angelina Nikolau are fighting the case stemming from their climb of the Manhattan landmark. Fox News reported Friday that their attorney says Manhattan prosecutors backed out of what he described as an agreed-upon misdemeanor plea deal. That account is the attorney's claim, not a finding by the court.
In a statement, the Manhattan district attorney's office disputed that account: "As we stated in court, it is not accurate to state that any offer was withdrawn. The charges remain the same."
ANSA reported that the case was adjourned to January 28, 2027. The possible prison and immigration consequences depend on the outcome of the case; neither is presented as an order already issued.
During the July climb, the pair displayed a banner before descending to a lower platform, where Kuznetsov proposed to Nikolau. The two are known for climbing tall buildings and appeared in the 2024 documentary "Skywalkers: A Love Story."