Empire State Building climbers face court amid plea talks

Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau, the daredevil couple responsible for an unauthorized climb of the Empire State Building, appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court on August 24, 2026. The pair arrived wearing matching black leather outfits and decorative faux handcuff bracelets, a theatrical display that coincided with the start of plea negotiations.

The couple faces felony charges, including burglary, criminal mischief, and reckless endangerment, following their July 1 ascent. During that incident, the pair allegedly bypassed security to scale the 104th-floor antenna mast, where Beerkus proposed to Nikolau. The stunt caused a temporary shutdown of the building’s broadcasting equipment.

Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Jessica Waldman confirmed that the prosecutor’s office is currently in “active plea discussions” with the defendants, though specific details regarding any potential agreements or conditions have not been disclosed.