Pavona's Pizza Joint owner sentenced to work release, rehabilitation programs after arson

Mark Mickey, the co-owner of Pavona's Pizza Joint and Mickey's Irish Pub, was sentenced to a work-release program with the possibility of 1½ years in prison Thursday morning for setting fire to the Northwest Akron restaurant in 2022.

Summit County Common Pleas Judge Kathryn Michael ordered Mickey to register as an arson offender for 10 years, enroll in rehabilitation programming, pay restitution and reimburse the City of Akron and Summit County Prosecutor's Office. In total, he owes $314,850 and will face three years' probation.

Fire: Pavona's owners contemplate rebuilding after fire destroys pizza restaurant, Irish pub

Represented by attorney Peter Cahoon, Mickey previously pleaded guilty to one count of arson, a fourth-degree felony, in early May.

The building, owned by FLV Properties LLC, was a total loss, FLV Properties co-owner Frank Vaccaro said Thursday during a restitution hearing in the case.

"It was shocking," he said before Mickey was sentenced. "There was nothing left, nothing salvageable."

Thousands of dollars in damage to property and nearby pharmacy

To rebuild the structure is estimated to cost FLV Properties about $623,000, Vaccaro said.

He will receive $272,000 in restitution toward rebuilding; insurance covered the remaining $351,000. While that money will help make the company "whole again," Vaccaro said, labor and material costs could continue to increase.

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"We were insured at pre-COVID prices," Vaccaro said. "By the time we needed to rebuild, labor and materials had gone up drastically."

A neighboring business, Sand Run Pharmacy, flooded as a result of the water used to put out the blaze, damaging the building and refrigerated medicine inside resulting in an over $73,600 insurance payout, according to the sentencing brief. The pharmacy also saw insurance costs rise by over 20% after the fire.

The pharmacy owner paid a $3,500 insurance deductible. The court ordered Mickey to pay that amount.

Arson cost city of Akron estimated hundreds of thousands of dollars

Investigators determined the fire started under the staircase in the basement before engulfing the entire building, according to the sentencing brief. Firefighters used nearly 2.5 million gallons of water to extinguish the fire, costing $35,000.

"We were using so much water that day," Akron Fire Department Capt. Brent Scarborough said Thursday. "We had multiple lines spraying for hours and hours."

The incident cost the city of Akron roughly $576,700, Scarborough testified. That figure included estimated costs of personnel and materials. Mickey was ordered to pay the $35,000 water cost.

Why did Mark Mickey start the fire?

For Raphael Vaccaro, a co-owner of FLV Properties, the arson fire destroyed the relationship he and his family had with Mickey for years.

"All day long, I still feel my father asking me what happened there," Vaccaro said Thursday. "I've never gotten a reason why."

Mickey apologized to the Vaccaro family but said he did not know why he started the fire

"I don't have an answer," he said. "If I could take it back, I would."

He also apologized to his family and friends. At least a dozen appeared at his sentencing hearing where his lifelong friend, stepson, ex-wife and wife spoke.

"I stand before you today to say our bond is unbreakable as we hold each other accountable," Courtney Pavona said. "I'm very proud to stand by his side."

Why was he sentenced to a work release program?

Michael sentenced Mickey to a work release program for two reasons, she said. First, he owes over $300,000 in restitution. Second, his family relies on him.

Now that he is out of the restaurant business, Mickey said he is focusing on contracting with an emphasis on carpentry — something he is teaching his stepsons.

Michael cautioned Mickey that he could face prison time if he does not remain sober, attend substance abuse classes and meetings or meet the requirements for work release.

"There are too many people who depend on you and rely on you," Michael said.

Bryce Buyakie covers courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @bryce_buyakie.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Mark Mickey sentenced to work release with possibility of prison time