Packo’s exec charged with stealing $100K

Associated Press

TOLEDO,

The grandson of the founder of a hot-dog diner in Ohio made famous on TV’s “M*A*S*H” was charged Wednesday with stealing more than $100,000 from the family business.

The charges stem from a yearlong family battle over control of Tony Packo’s, a restaurant chain whose hot-dog sauce and pickles are sold in stores across the nation.

Tony Packo III, who is executive vice president of Tony Packo’s Inc., and company controller Cathleen Dooley were both charged with aggravated theft and face up to three years in prison if convicted.

A message seeking a comment was left at Packo’s home and with his attorney, Kevin Devaney. Dooley’s attorney, Mark Jacobs, declined to comment Wednesday.

Descendants of the restaurant’s namesake this summer began accusing one another of financial misdeeds and mismanagement and made their own bids to buy the company. A private restaurant group backed by Tony Packo III and his father, Tony Packo Jr., won the bidding in October for the restaurant chain.