‘Beloved’ daredevils who scaled Empire State Building inching toward deal after proposal stunt: attorney
Angelina Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov are negotiating a possible plea deal after climbing the Empire State Building in July to stage a marriage proposal that went viral. Their lawyer says talks with prosecutors are nearing a resolution, while the couple continue to face charges arising from the stunt.
The pair, aged 33 and 32, were initially charged with reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, burglary and misdemeanour climbing of a structure, then released under court supervision. A judge has ended their required monthly check-ins. Their next court appearance is set for 12 November, and their lawyer hopes for a resolution before the end of the year.
In short
- Empire State Building climbers are discussing a possible plea deal.
- The July proposal stunt led to four charges.
- A judge ended their monthly supervision check-ins.
Explained simply
The Empire State Building is a landmark skyscraper in New York City, with restricted areas that are not open to visitors. Climbing into those areas without permission can raise safety concerns and lead to criminal charges.
Angelina Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov are known for climbing tall buildings and sharing images of their exploits online. Their proposal stunt brought attention to the risks of unauthorised climbs and to how authorities respond when people enter restricted parts of a building.
The couple have faced charges including reckless endangerment, burglary and climbing a structure without permission. Their case is being handled in court, where any plea agreement would set out how the charges are resolved.