Lawyer Demanded Burr Ridge Cease Disparaging Comments

BURR RIDGE, IL — A lawyer for a prominent Burr Ridge businessman last year demanded that officials and employees in the village government stop making disparaging comments about his client.

Attorney Richard Beuke was working for Filippo "Gigi" Rovito, owner of the popular Capri Ristorante. For years, former Trustee Zach Mottl has accused the village of letting Rovito get breaks with his liquor license that others do not. In particular, he has brought up Rovito's criminal past.

In January 2020, Beuke wrote Mayor Gary Grasso about the issue. He said it had been brought to his client's attention that "several village employees and/or trustees" may have made comments at open meetings or on social media about Rovito's conduct as a business owner.

Beuke was likely referring to Mottl, but it was unclear who else, if anyone, in the village government was badmouthing Rovito.

"Mr. Rovito will not stand by and allow his reputation and good name to be sullied by members of the Village Board or employees of Burr Ridge," Beuke said. "He has no desire to drag the village into litigation. Comments meant to slander and defame Mr. Rovito's reputation will not be tolerated or allowed to continue."

Beuke said the letter did not serve as a waiver of Rovito's rights or remedies.

"We look for your immediate compliance ... in demanding that the village's employees cease and desist from making any further disparaging comments about my client," the lawyer said.

Grasso replied the same day, saying he forwarded the letter to the village's attorney, Mike Durkin.

"I, too, share your concern about Trustee Zach Mottl's comments," the mayor said in an email. "He — and only he — is the genesis of these negative comments. Mottl is well aware of the facts, and I believe, as I have stated, that Mottl is taking these actions maliciously and in violation of his duties."

In his letter, Beuke said the village conducted a full and extensive open hearing by law to determine Rovito's application for a liquor license in 2011.

"Relevant evidence and information was produced on behalf of both positions concerning Mr. Rovito's transgressions as a young adult resulting in two felony convictions," Beuke said, noting the crimes occurred in 1991. "At that hearing, the burden of proof required Mr. Rovito to demonstrate he was not only rehabilitated but warranted the public trust to be approved for a liquor license," Beuke said.

Rovito, Beuke said, is a "shining example" of the American principle of "second chances."

"He has shown what hard work and commitment to excellence can accomplish," Beuke said.

Mottl himself obtained the letter and Grasso's response through a public records request. He then provided the documents to Patch.

According to Burr Ridge police, Rovito is a convicted felon with multiple convictions. Court records show the victim of the 17-year-old Rovito's 1991 sex crime was a 14-year-old girl. He was released from prison in 2002 after about five years, according to a 2013 memo from Police Chief John Madden.

Mottl and Grasso are political rivals, with Grasso having defeated Mottl in the 2019 mayoral race. Grasso-endorsed candidates ousted Mottl in the April election.

Rovito has ties to Grasso. Four years ago, Rovito gave $5,000 to Grasso for Grasso's ill-fated campaign for attorney general. Grasso returned the money after the contribution became controversial.

Grasso also has served as Rovito's lawyer in a number of instances, including zoning issues before the village, though not while Grasso has been mayor. A plate at Capri Ristorante is named in Grasso's honor.

Rovito and Beuke did not return messages for comment.