Vazzy's Restaurant Owner Charged With Bribery

TRUMBULL, CT — Vazzy's restaurant owner John Vazzano was arrested Wednesday and accused of offering a bribe to a witness to avoid a sexual assault investigation against two of his employees.

Vazzano, 58, of Trumbull, was also accused of misleading state and federal officials about the whereabouts of the employees, according to the Office of the Chief State's Attorney.

In late 2019, a relative of a former employee of the Bridgeport restaurant reported sexual assault and harassment, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. About a year ago, police arrested longtime Vazzy's dishwasher Jaime Sena, according to the Connecticut Post. Sena was accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old hostess; another employee was accused of similar behavior but wasn't identified by police.

At the time, Vazzano's lawyer said his client fired the two employees and cooperated with police, according to the post.

Vazzano is charged with bribery of a witness, third-degree hindering prosecution and interfering with police. Vazzano surrendered to Rocky Hill police and was released on a $50,000 bond. He is due to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Feb. 25.

Sena's case is pending. He is charged with third-degree sexual assault and second-degree unlawful restraint. He hasn't entered a plea, according to court records.