Former Restaurant Owner Escapes Jail Time in Alleged Rape of 2 Waitresses: Report

BETHEL, CT — After a three-year-long double trial, the first of which ended in a hung jury, a former Bethel restaurant owner has escaped jail time after accepting a plea deal, according to The News Times. The former owner of an Italian eatery in Bethel, was found guilty of sex assault charges after being accused by two former employees of rape.

The charges stem from accusations from two former waitresss of his restaurant, Tonelli's on Grassy Plain Street, for incidents that allegedly occurred at the restaurant back in 2011. According to Bethel police, two women reported that he had sexually assaulted them.

Fernandes claimed the sex was consensual. Fernandes was represented by Attorney Gene Zingaro of Zingaro & Co., LLC who told Patch the first trial ended in a hung jury. Tonelli’s closed and was under new ownership as of July, 2013. Fernandes was released in April of 2013 after posting $200,000 bond.

Related:

• 2nd Trial of Bethel Business Owner Accused of Rape to Begin
• Bethel Restaurateur Charged with Sexual Assault of Employees
• 2nd Trial to Begin for Ex-Bethel Restaurant Owner Accused of Rape
• Pretrial Continues for Former Bethel Restaurateur Charged with Rape

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