Burr Ridge Mayor On Restaurateur's Gambling Arrest

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso on Monday addressed the arrest of the owner of a popular Italian restaurant in town.

"In this era of destructive-based social media and TV news reports, I should have sent this message to you sooner rather than later," Grasso said. "Waiting only allows the smear vultures to pounce, spin and accuse."

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He was referring to the charges against Capri Ristorante owner Filippo "Gigi" Rovito.

For years, Grasso's political rivals – particularly, former Trustee Zach Mottl – have highlighted the mayor's connections to Rovito, who has a criminal record from the 1990s.

Late last month, Rovito was indicted on federal felony charges, along with 21 others who are alleged to be involved in a northwest Indiana-based illegal gambling ring. He was jailed for a few days.

Rovito was accused of trying to collect a $30,000 gambling debt from a man. The ring leader told others that Rovito stated he would "knock" the victim's "lights out and shove his head into a machine," according to the federal indictment.

"The allegation, so far, as to Gigi is that he is part of this illegal gambling activity in Indiana (not acceptable if true) and that 'someone said that Gigi said' he would harm the gambler for not paying his debt," the mayor said. "That too is serious and troubling if true, but – so far – is only what everyone knows to be hearsay that is not usually allowed in courts of law in this country."

Grasso continued, "On that level, I am also concerned as an attorney and citizen that a US attorney would indict a person on hearsay. Maybe there is more to it that will be revealed."

Grasso, who is running as a Republican for DuPage County Board chairman, has twice represented Rovito in civil lawsuits where "I thought he was wronged and did so successfully because he was not responsible."

Grasso noted Rovito's felony record. In 1991, the 17-year-old Rovito committed a sex crime with a 14-year-old girl as the victim, according to court records. He was released from prison in 2002 after about five years, police said.

The mayor said he discovered Rovito's criminal history in 2008 when the village performed a routine criminal check on all liquor license owners and managers.

"It is against state law for convicted felons to have liquor licenses or manage liquor establishments," the mayor said. "While Gigi was not 'on the license,' everyone knew he was managing Capri by 2008, the restaurant that his parents had opened. I promptly wrote to inform him that he could no longer manage Capri."

The village attorney, he said, later advised that the state had an exception to the no-felons law. If Rovito could meet certain standards, he could be listed on Capri Ristorante's license.

Rovito underwent a hearing, and the village found he met the requirements for the exception. Grasso signed a liquor license in Rovito's name.

In the latest case, Grasso warned, "If Gigi is found or pleads guilty to a felony, there will be severe consequences to his ability to operate any further in Burr Ridge."

Grasso said he and his wife, Janet Grasso, a former village trustee, would continue to go to Capri Ristorante.

"You can find us most times at a high-top near the bar," the mayor said. "Yes, there is a pasta entrée with our last name on it (which is excellent as is all the food at Capri; try it), as there are also dishes named for Hall of Fame athletes and coaches – rather good company. My wife and I, of course, frequent all of the fine and casual restaurants and shops in Burr Ridge."

Grasso promised to keep residents updated on the bad news about Rovito. He said he would "never run from it."

In his statement to residents, Grasso gave his cellphone number and email address for residents who wanted to communicate with him about the issue.

In 2018, Rovito donated $5,000 to Grasso's unsuccessful attorney general campaign.

But the mayor returned the money after a downstate TV station called the donation into question. The station said Rovito was named in FBI mafia investigations.

In a statement Monday, Mottl, the former village trustee, said the village has no reason to delay a hearing on the status of Rovito's liquor license. He said Grasso already knows Rovito's history.

"Given that history, the claim that these issues are only now coming to light does not align with the record of what was provided to Village leadership," Mottl said. "As others have said, no rational politician would voluntarily attach themselves to someone under federal indictment unless there were deeper financial or personal ties. That's why this matters now, not later."