Longtime friend backs Hereford House arson suspect

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Hereford House owner Rod Anderson is not alone as he faces federal charges of arson, conspiracy and mail fraud.

A longtime friend and employee is coming to Anderson’s defense.

Anderson was indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday.

Federal prosecutors claim Anderson conspired with at least two men to set his downtown Hereford House restaurant on fire and then collect $2.5 million in insurance claims.

Alan Hagedorn worked with Anderson for 10 years at the downtown Kansas City Hereford House before it was destroyed in 2008.

“When you’re with a man for 10 or 15 years and work around him you really do get a sense of what they’re capable of,” said Hagedorn.

“To think that he could have gone to that extreme, I just don’t see it,” Hagedorn added.

The former Hereford House employee is now the manager of the Royal Liquor store at 103rd and State Line Road, in Kansas City.

He credits Anderson with helping him financially and helping him achieve his career goals.

Even though Anderson has been indicted, Hagedorn still believes Anderson is innocent.

“Innocent until proven guilty; I just hope that everything comes out right,” Hagedorn concluded.

A court date in the Anderson case will be set after motions hearings in federal court.