Restaurateur charged in alleged sex assault

A Mississauga man is facing sexual assault charges following an incident that allegedly occurred in a Port Dalhousie restaurant.

The Sept. 14 incident reported to Niagara Regional Police alleges that an adult female went to a restaurant in the area of Lock Street and Lakeport Road between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. While there, she was approached at her table by a member of the restaurant management. During the course of conversation, it is alleged that she was sexually assaulted.

Police have arrested 51-year-old Rocco Giovannelli of Mississauga. He is facing a charge of sexual assault.

In September, Giovannelli was part of the management team at Cefalu Rustica on the corner of Lakeport Road and Lock Street. He previously owned a barbecue restaurant in Port Credit and was part owner of a wood-oven pizza restaurant in Streetsville.

According to an Aug. 10 story in the Mississauga News, Giovannelli was found guilty in 2017 of sexually assaulting one of his female employees during a staff party at the Streetsville eatery in June 2015. However, he appealed the guilty finding and the verdict was set aside, with a new trial ordered in July 2018.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Const. Matthew Catherwood at 905-688-4111, dial option 3, badge No. 9399.