SEE THE FULL STORY VIA THE TORONTO STAR - JUNE 20TH 2007.
He's a publicity machine who stars in his own TV ads, fronts a rock band and in two weeks the brewery he owns will seem ubiquitous when the Steelback Grand Prix turns the lakeshore into a raceway. But after the checkered flag is waved, Steelback Brewery president Frank D'Angelo will have another public appearance – this time in a Toronto courtroom where he faces a charge of sexual assault.
Police arrested the 48-year-old bachelor June 9 after receiving a complaint from a 21-year-old woman. She alleges an incident took place on June 3 at the Holiday Inn next to Yorkdale Shopping Centre. The investigator handling the case did not return a call from the Toronto Star. His lawyer, Gary Clewley, said D'Angelo will plead not guilty.
Calling from a charity golf tournament in Ottawa yesterday, D'Angelo ... acknowledged knowing his accuser, he didn't want to elaborate.
D'Angelo, who got his start by selling juices out of a truck, also owns a beverage company with a product line that includes Cheetah Power Surge. The Toronto native enlisted Ben Johnson for a controversial ad in whichthe steroid user raised a can and audaciously proclaimed: "I Cheetah all the time."
Three years ago, D'Angelo bought a fruit-processing plant and microbrewery in Bruce County from billionaire generic-drug maker Barry Sherman, now a business partner.
D'Angelo makes news, whether for his interest in buying sports franchises or for filing a $2-million libel suit against blogger and Ottawa Sun copy editor Neate Seager, although yesterday he said a resolution might be in the works.
Charlie Johnstone, chief executive of the Grand Prix Association of Toronto, said he's pleased Steelback is the title sponsor of Ontario's largest annual sporting event.
NOTES:
Neate Sager was bullied into issuing a retraction and the lawsuit was later dropped.
D'Angelo's spending on advertising did not match his profits. He was spending so much on advertising without any serious profits to show for it. Police suspect D'Angelo may have been laundering money for the mafia.
The rape trial was dismissed after only 1 day in court, despite the judge saying that Frank D'Angelo was "probably guilty".
D'Angelo was later photographed having dinner with corrupt cop Michael Rutigliano, a known member of the mafia, in Frank D'Angelo's private club "Forget About It" which is a mafia-themed restaurant. Also present at the meeting were the two prosecuting lawyers from D'Angelo's rape trial.
The two lawyers and Michael Rutigliano were all fired or placed on suspension. Michael Rutigliano and Frank D'Angelo were charged with conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
The OPP and Attorney Generals Office have not renewed the sexual assault charges against Frank D'Angelo. It is believed Frank D'Angelo has agreed to testify against Michael Rutigliano in exchange for immunity against his charges of rape, conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
Michael Rutigliano is wanted by Quebec police for defrauding Bombardier of $15 million.