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.

Niagara Regional Police investigators are looking to speak with potential witnesses to the Sept. 14 incident and have reason to believe there may be more victims.

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

9399.