Empire State Building Climbers Seek Plea Deal

The couple facing charges after scaling the skyscraper to propose will no longer have to check in with court supervision.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Romance

Angelina Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov are negotiating a plea deal in Manhattan court following their unauthorized climb of the Empire State Building. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should daredevils who perform unauthorized skyscraper stunts face full criminal prosecution?

Angelina Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov are currently negotiating a plea deal following their high-profile climb of the Empire State Building in July. A judge recently removed the requirement for the couple to participate in monthly court-mandated supervision check-ins.

Why it matters

The legal proceedings follow the pair's stunt at the landmark, where they performed a marriage proposal at the structure's peak. Their case remains under active negotiation in a Manhattan court as they face several criminal charges.

Angelina Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, face charges including reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, burglary, and misdemeanor climbing of a structure. Their next scheduled court appearance is November 12.

The players

Angelina Nikolau

She is a 33-year-old involved in the climb of the Empire State Building and subsequent legal proceedings.

Ivan Kuznetsov

He is a 32-year-old who scaled the skyscraper with Nikolau and is now negotiating a plea deal.

The details

The couple performed the unauthorized ascent of the Empire State Building to mark their marriage proposal. They recently appeared for a status conference in a Manhattan court where the judge granted the motion to end their supervision check-in requirement.

The couple scaled the Empire State Building in July 2026.
A court status conference was held on October 27, 2026.
The next scheduled court appearance is November 12, 2026.
Attorneys expect a plea deal before the end of 2026.

Culture Shift

The prosecution of these climbers highlights the application of New York City's criminal code regarding reckless endangerment during high-profile stunts. This case follows the pattern of strictly prosecuting unauthorized building entries under existing city safety statutes.

The legal resolution of this case settles a high-profile disturbance at a major New York City landmark. Residents and tourists alike should expect continued strict security enforcement around the Empire State Building to deter similar unauthorized climbing attempts.

The takeaway

High-profile stunts involving illegal trespassing often result in significant legal consequences and long-term court involvement. Experts advise that seeking legal avenues for unique experiences is safer and avoids potential criminal records.