Rucci publicly apologizes for Go Go past to Austintown trustees

By Robert Connelly | November 12, 2014 at 12:08a.m.

By ROBERT CONNELLY

AUSTINTOWN

Sebastian Rucci has begun to open dialogue with township and Mahoning County officials as Hotel California awaits a liquor license decision.

He apologized to township trustees Monday night “for not coming to see you before.”

The first time that Rucci spoke with township officials was in late July or early August, according to Zoning Inspector Darren Crivelli’s testimony during the two-day license hearing last week before a state official. A decision is pending.

“I wasn’t sure how the project was going to unfold. ... I believed I would just do something and show them,” Rucci explained regarding the lack of dialogue. If he started talking about the hotel project before doing it, he reasoned people would not believe him.

“I recognize that sometimes it’s a lot better to go to meetings. ... It’s not like I’m comfortable going to these things,” Rucci said.

During last week’s two-day liquor license hearing with Rucci and county and township officials, all witnesses were put in the hallways during testimony. Both Rucci and Austintown Trustee Jim Davis said Monday night that they were able to talk then, and that Davis gave Rucci advice. He said one of those recommendations was what he did Monday night.

“I thought that was the most important part of the hearing — them getting to hear from me and my efforts to do whatever it takes to move forward in a more progressive manner,” Rucci said during the Monday trustees meeting.

Monday night was just the next step in opening up dialogue by the embattled businessman, most known for his previous venture along state Route 46, the Go Go Girls Cabaret.

“Obviously an apology and a handshake aren’t going to solve all the problems there ... there’s probably been six to seven years of just issue after issue that’s created this mistrust — so one instance is not going to regain that trust,” Davis said Tuesday. “I would much rather see the talks that we’ve had, with those talks continuing. ... It’s finally moving in the right direction.”

The liquor license for Club Cali is sought by attorney James Vitullo’s company, Vitullo Investments LLC. Vitullo is a friend and business partner to Rucci. There are hotels that operate without a liquor license in Austintown, such as the Holiday Inn Express across state Route 46 from Hotel California. Township officials have stressed this week that Hotel California can open and operate once the inspections and an occupancy permit are granted, with or without liquor.

Previous interactions between Rucci and township officials have been limited over the past few months.

Crivelli met with Rucci for about 90 minutes in late July or early August to talk about his hotel and some things he needed to do.

A fire safety inspector detailed the review of drawings for Hotel California over the past several months and rejected them due to fire code. The last set of prints were accepted.

Rucci’s occupancy permit through Mahoning County was no longer valid, having been issued when Rucci operated the previous establishment, Economy Inn and Suites, for a period of time before closing it and turning it into Hotel California. The changes to the rooms and the building as a whole necessitate new inspections and a new occupancy permit.

An open house last week was shut down by township police and fire departments because of no new occupancy permit.

Rucci explained the changes to the hotel for township officials Monday night, who during testimony last week said they had not been inside or on the premises in years.

“I believe in second chances,” Trustee Lisa Oles said afterward. “When you’re given a second chance, there’s an expectation you’re going to change your behavior. You have violated zoning laws in our township, fire laws, police laws.”

Both Davis and Oles emphasized that the township wants to move forward — whatever decision is made on the liquor license. “We need to be able to live with their decision, either way,” Oles said.

“Our interests are aligned,” Rucci said. “I think if we can do this together, this would be so much more successful.”