Couple charged after scaling Empire State Building faces plea talks

Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, appeared before Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday on felony charges stemming from their July climb of the Empire State Building. The pair, who had proposed atop the landmark, are accused of burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools, trespass and criminal tampering. Prosecutors indicated that they are in "active plea discussions" with the defendants.

The couple was observed outside the courthouse near a hot-dog vendor, where they embraced briefly. They had arrived at the hearing wearing black leather jackets and jeans and stood behind their attorneys before Judge Beverly Tatham.

If convicted, the defendants face up to seven years in prison. The climb caused approximately $2,000 in damage and required the building’s broadcast antenna to be shut down. According to court filings, the pair purchased tickets to the 1,454-foot tower on July 30, hid overnight, and emerged from a hatch on the 102nd floor early the next morning. They then ascended the antenna, displayed a banner with a peace-related message, and Kuznetsov proposed to Nikolau.

The case is scheduled for a further hearing on September 29.