Hotel California liquor permit still undecided; Rucci not on stand

YOUNGSTOWN

Written closing statements will be filed next week, and a decision is to come in the next few weeks on whether Hotel California will receive a liquor license.

Sebastian Rucci, owner of the Austintown hotel, was not called as a witness by either of the attorneys representing Atty. James Vitullo, whose company, Vitullo Investments LLC, filed the liquor application for the hotel; or Mahoning County assistant prosecutors representing Austintown Township and the county commissioners — who both filed an objection to the permit.

Rucci said after Friday’s hearing that he was pleased he wasn’t called. “I am a lighting rod in many ways. I appreciate not being called,” he said.

The application is for Club Cali, the restaurant to operate within the hotel at the same spot as the former Go Go Girls cabaret.

Assistant prosecutors Dawn Durkin and Gina Bricker again talked about the address swapping for 5455 Clarkins Drive and 1051 N. Canfield-Niles Road. The correct address will be determined by state liquor control officials.

Vitullo was the only witness called by his lawyers to talk about the facility. “I’m not going to do anything until I get a [liquor] license,” Vitullo said during his testimony Friday.

Though Vitullo said he doesn’t have much experience with restaurants personally, he mentioned family members who are involved with food establishments in Mahoning County that he could call on for advice and guidance.

When prosecutors began to question how specific operations were set up — such as the relationship between the Funny Farm comedy club run by owner Dave Robich, and Vitullo and Club Cali — Vitullo said their space overlaps each other.

Prosecutors called several Austintown Township officials Friday, including township zoning inspector Darren Crivelli and a fire department safety inspector.

Read more about the hearing in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.