Charlie Brown’s ex-CEO sentenced to prisonCharlie Brown’s ex-CEO sentenced to prison

Paul Frumkin

Russell D’Anton, the former president and chief executive of Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for taking more than $1 million in kickbacks from vendors, according to published reports.

D’Anton pleaded guilty last year to charges of tax evasion and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. He also admitted to accepting home appliances and money from vendors and a construction company.

D’Anton resigned from the Mountainside, N.J.-based casual-dining chain in 2008. In addition to having to pay an unknown amount in restitution, D’Anton must undergo two years of supervision following his release.

Michael Mulligan, Charlie Brown’s vice president, also pleaded guilty to charges of tax evasion and conspiring to commit mail fraud.

Charlie Brown’s parent, CB Holding Corp., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Nov. 18 and closed 47 locations. Morristown, N.J.-based Villa Enterprises purchased the company’s The Office Beer Bar & Grill chain in January, and CB Holding has said it plans to sell its remaining 20 Charlie Brown’s and 12 Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse outlets.

Contact Paul Frumkin at [email protected].