Former Bella Sol Owner Pleads Not Guilty

The owner of the now closed Bella Sol restaurant on Market Street pleaded not guilty to charges that he allegedly defrauded customers by overbilling them on their credit cards.

Brian Pearson, 28, of 172 White Lake Road in Chocorua, N.H., entered his plea during his arraignment on Monday morning in Portsmouth District Court. Pearson is charged with fraudulent use of a credit card, a Class A felony, for allegedly over billing dozens of customers of the former eatery between Aug. 27, 2010 to May 26, 2011.

According to Portsmouth Police, Pearson was arrested on charges that he defrauded customers out of more than $2,400 by placing charges on their credit cards without their authorization. Police said many of the charges were small, but the total amount charged was $2,437.87.

"Many of the charges to credit cards were made after the restaurant had ceased operations. Over 37 people have come forward to report fraudulent activity on their accounts relating to Bella Sol," read the police press release that was issued by Portsmouth Police Capt. Corey MacDonald following Pearson's arrest.

According to the police affidavit filed by Portsmouth Police Detective Rochelle Jones, Pearson allegedly overcharged his customers and the money was placed in the restaurant's bank account. Police say that Pearson then made personal purchases for things that ranged from gym membership fees, gasoline, Dunkin Donuts, food, DVD rentals and even some goods and services at Foxwood Resort Casino in Connecticut.

On several occassions, Pearson told Portsmouth Police that he had no knowledge about the credit card transactions when questioned. Detectives executed search warrants to view mail Pearson received from TD Bank and Heartland Payment Systems company that contained receipts and financial statements that linked the former restaurant with the fradulent credit card transactions.

Some of the transactions occurred while the restaurant was still open this spring and other happened after the former Bella Sol had closed and Pearson was still staying at the property, according to court documents. Police issued an arrest warrant for Pearson on Sept. 30.

Pearson's $5,000 personal recognizance bail was maintained by the court and he was ordered to not have any contact with his alleged victims. Pearson is scheduled to return to Portsmouth District Court for a probable cause hearing on Dec. 5.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Detective Rochelle Jones at 603-610-7503. People can also contact the Seacoast Crimestoppers and make anonymous tips by logging onto www.seacoastcrimestoppers.org, or by text to CRIMES (274637) and include TIPSCS in the message.