Chad Scianna, Chad Anthony’s reach agreement

RELATED: Chad Scianna opens new restaurant in Canfield

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

The attorney for Chad Scianna said theft accusations made against his client by the owner of Chad Anthony’s Italian Grille & Pub have been withdrawn.

Tim Merlin, an owner of the restaurant, and Scianna have resolved what Atty. Brian Kopp of the Betras, Kopp & Harshman law firm called a misunderstanding.

Kopp attributed the misunderstanding to a lack of communication between Scianna and Chad Anthony’s. Scianna has not been involved with Chad Anthony’s since January.

Merlin reported to Austintown police in late March that an unidentified former business partner had taken $33,000 from the Chad Anthony’s restaurant chain.

The theft accusations were from coupon promotions with Valley Deals 365, affiliated with The Vindicator and 21 WFMJ-TV, and My Valley Deals, affiliated with WYTV.

According to the police report filed, the promotions were sold at half the cost of their value, and then half of the revenue raised by the sale of coupons went to the restaurant and the other half went to the company selling the advertising.

The police were told Chad Anthony’s officials did not receive its portion of the revenue and it was deposited into another business account.

“Once we began talking, it didn’t take long to clear up the matter,” Kopp said. “The end result is that Chad Anthony’s will continue its normal operations and Mr. Scianna will be able to open his new restaurant concept.”

Scianna recently opened a restaurant called Forty10 Bar & Grille in Canfield.

Chad Anthony’s operates Liberty and Austintown locations. Two other locations in Salem and Boardman were recently closed.

“The existing Chad Anthony’s restaurants are fiscally sound, operating at capacity and looking forward to serving their loyal patrons for many years to come,” said Andrew Suhar of the law firm Suhar & Macejko, which represents Chad Anthony’s. “In fact, the Austintown location is set to remodel its dining room, providing patrons with a new and exciting dining experience.”

Merlin could not be reached to comment.