Burr Ridge Trustee Clears Restaurant's Name

BURR RIDGE, IL — Burr Ridge Trustee Guy Franzese said at a Village Board meeting last month that he was made aware that the owner of Capri Express was involved in an incident with the owner of a nearby business.

This was Franzese's statement in response to the restaurant's request to the village to put up an awning. He said he wanted to see a police report on the incident before deciding on the request. His colleagues agreed.

The police have since determined that the co-owners of Capri Express had no involvement in the incident.

Asked whether he accepted that conclusion, Franzese said he did.

"I was waiting for the report," Franzese told Patch after Monday's Village Board meeting. "We didn't have enough information to begin with."

Burr Ridge Trustee Guy Franzese (left) is at Monday's Village Board meeting, sitting next to Trustee Tony Schiappa. Franzese said afterward that he accepted the police department's conclusion that Capri Express was not involved in an incident. (David Giuliani/Patch)

The Aug. 5 incident involved Capri Ristorante owner Filippo "Gigi" Rovito and former Trustee Zach Mottl. With a police officer present, Mottl accused Rovito of violating codes with his renovation of a County Line Square space for a lounge. He also brought up Rovito's long-ago criminal record, while Rovito said Mottl needed a beating, according to a police report. No one was charged.

Capri Express has denied being involved in the incident. Its awning request is expected to be considered at a board meeting next month. Trustees also said they had concerns about the restaurant's use of its fire lane.

While similarly named, Capri Ristorante and Capri Express have different ownership structures. Earlier this year, Capri Express joined others in opposing Rovito's plan for the Are We Live lounge.