Chain Leader

You should do an article on all the people at Buca who were screwed and lost their investments rather than giving this guy a soap box so he can try and consult another company to the bottom.

This guy sounds like he is totally without any remorse and almost implies his downfall is the result of the actions of others.

The man just doesn't get it. Wasn't there a villa in Italy with misappropriated funds? The feds didn't put him jail for j-walking! Where was/is the moral compass in the man's life? Other people were bad so I can be bad, too? Sounds like they let him out too soon! I wouldn't let the man run an out house let alone a restaurant. Not sure how he sleeps well at night after what he's done and who he's hurt!

East Side Cleveland boys stick together!

Having personally worked with Joe, I would not recommend his consulting to the smallest diner! What would he consult on; how to screw a company and its investors? How about a little remorse Mr.M?

David Farkas - You have dropped a few notches in my eyes. Micatrotto is a thief and an unrepentant one at that. You apparently were not a stakeholder in the Buca world. He is an arrogant self-serving slug whose greed and avarice damaged many peoples' lives.

Ouch. Joe Micatrotto engaged in crimminal behavior and paid a price for so doing, financially and reputationally (word?). I'm not excusing his actions, just sharing with readers what a once fast-rising foodservice exec is doing post-incarceration.

It looks like you needed to boost some traffic on the blog and write (in a positive light) about a crook that defrauded a company. I don't hear any contrition out of Micatrotto for what he did. I feel that everyone deserves a second chance in life, but only for the ones that have really decided to change their lives for the better. Just because he read the Bible in the house doesn't absolve him any different from the the person who walked into prison over a year ago.

Only thing "very ridiculous" is this guy and his cohorts. Self proclaimed avid runner was not able to work in prison?

This guy was and is a crook. To give him the time of day is too much attention. How about interviewing the thousands of Buca employes who gave their careers, and their retirement funds away to Micatrotto and his gang of thieves. Go back to Cleveland where they don't knw good Italian food from bad!

Once a fraud, always a fraud. If someone is stupid enough to hire him for his expertise, then shame on them for being so ignorant.

Proud to say, we never placed him!

He did not come close to paying the price for his actions. Ask any one of the employees that worked with him over the years and know about the numerous things that he didnt get caught for. Sickening that he still makes the news and stands to make another dime. Especially disgusting is his fake condition and the money he collects from that.

As many pointed out already, Joe did many other things that he did not spend any time in prison (oops, Federal Correction Institution) for. Maybe if he went back in for those and read the Bible a little more he could understand being remorseful and sorry for all the very good employees and shareholders of Buca that he screwed over. Maybe he should start by giving all that money he stole and still has to the Church. He obviously has yet to learn how to accept blame for his own actions.

Everydog has their day! In this case it looks as if Justice has been delayed! I continue to ask where were all of the check and blances? Why did other employees allow this to occure? Worse yet look what happened? Buca got a CEO who ran aorund the country telling eveyone how nice a guy he was, how much he wanted to raise money for charity to feed the poor, while letting the company slip into the obiss!!! Had he spent a little time focued on Buca, wow where could it be now? Pontification of a good by the leader, does not allways prodcue the results all stakeholders want! This company was driven into the ground by EGO! Looks as if good food, is just not enough any longer!

It is amazing to me how much people think they know what reality is vs. perception. I worked at Buca long before anyone on this email heard of it. I knew it when it was Buca's Little Italy and when you went into a basement to eat. I watched a man who brought an unbelieveable team take this idea and make it a reality. I watched as the four corners of this country got to enjoy what Buca was about. I watched a man lead a company to a very high point without anyone but the Paisano Partners and guest in mind. I watched as people put in certain positions make unlawful decisions. I watched a leader take the blame and paid the price for the mistakes of a couple of members of his team. I watched a man have his career trashed after 35 years of stellar accomplishments (too many to put on this email). I watched a man's health go downhill after an infection almost killed him and has put him in a position to never walk normal again let alone run. I watched people talk about Villa's in Italy when it was actually a condemned farm house that was going to be used as a training center for Buca . I watched people talk about a personal meals and events paid for by Buca that were thrown right out of court for being false. I watched people try to swing all the blame for a company that nose dived after Joe left. Joe Micatrotto was not fired from Buca he resigned because of his health. The lesson I learned from Joe Micatrotto was two fold. Keep better tabs on the closet members of your team and second what leadership really is. Joe did not run to every media source and give his side. He took full responsibility for his company. Their was no golden parachute, just a man who lead without speaking. Any person who blames Joe for the downfall of the company really does not know the company. For those who worked at Buca I ask you to take a look in the mirror and ask if you did your job or are you looking for an excuse. Joe Micatrotto has placed more fantastic restaurant people out there than anyone. The people writing on this blog have once again proven perception is their reality.

Actually ms, a number of us worked for Buca when it was Buca Little Italy and we do know reality. We all know who you are and how you benefited from the Joe empire. But not everyone was so lucky and many were quite close to the details to know the real truth your eyes cant seem to see. But thats no surprise to anyone that you cant. So sad your life revolves around Buca still. Joe was a significant part of the fraud and much of the truth has been shredded for no one to see...

Leadership was the weak link here, it continues to show. Many are to blame.

It seems like a lot of you need to move on. Evidently alot of the people "were quite close to the details" but did not not say anything? Sure does seem like a lot of people still revolve around Buca. Let it go. It is a big industry. By the way the people who really made money were the banks, Roberts, and Mijialov. Yet you heard nothing from them.

This has been cathartic. I agree with Bob, " . . .need to move on." We cannot change the past, what is done is done. But it is not the end for JM, or any of those who were part of the theft and fraud; or for anyone effected by their actions. In the end, God knows what is in JM's heart, and what in in our hearts. So, to Joe et al, here's to your health and recovery. May you find your peace. God Bless.

Joe can you please give me back all the money I invested.

Forgive my grammer but I can't help but throw a couple thoughts out here. MS, you speak of Buca Little Italy as if Buca was not already a HUGE success when Joe came on board. Buca was thriving, growing and had a great culture prior to Joe's arrival. Joe was hired to take Buca to a 1,000 units to compete with Olive Garden. He signed a few real estate deals and opened some stores. BIG DEAL! Not only did JM oversell his ability, he failed completely to grow the company to the promised level and ripped off investors with his ego driven promises. The only JM book I might read would be a tell-all biography summarizing his ability to con and cheat good people. Good luck with your consulting practice Mr. Big.

If a huge success is 4 restaurants then we are not talking in the same language. Eden Prarie, Downtown Minn, St. Paul, and Milwaukee were the only stores open. He took the company from 4 to 90+ in 6 years. When 9/11 hit the entire family style industry took a huge hit. Buca was clipping at 16-18 stores a year to that point. The only value that Buca has is the real estate that Joe bought. One more question, how many stores have opened since he left. In fact if you want to make back some of the money you say you lost call a Commercial Broker. You can buy pretty much any store you want for pennies on the dollar. For those Paisano's who throw blame his way I ask you what your shares were worth when he was there vs. now. There would be no Buca di Beppo if it were not for Mr. Micatrotto. Have you been in a Buca lately. Is Joe responsible for poor management, sub par service, and some version of Italian food over 4 years later? Read court documents. Joe was convicted of wire fraud because a check was deposited out of state and written back to Buca 2 days later. While not legal how many of you knew that was a crime? I guess the tons of venture capitalists thought giving tens of millions to build Buca to what is was were doing that because they had nothing better to do with the money. This is my last post.

Well big WD sure has done wonders for stock holders! I agree, he was to busy touting charity events. Stakeholders could use a little charity now!

MS-You are mistaken on the only value that Buca has being the Land that Joe bought. Majority of the properties were leased and what was owned had a sale leaseback done on it for money years ago. While Joe was there. By the way, people did not say anything since they wanted to keep their job. We know what happened when one person did question the higher ups and then left the company.

MS-Resigned? Who resigns from a company and has to pay back $850,000? Farkas's credibility? None. What info does Joe have on him? He did wrong and is not remorseful whatsoever and is blaming the people who made that company successful, when it was successful. By the way if you want one of his previous books, there available "Free with the purchase of a Foreman Grille" in Philly!!

Very disappointing to give this leading example of "Culture of Corruption" his own soap-box. Industry media offers too often undeserved and unwarranted press to corporate losers and crooks. By the way.. why does our industry give big bonuses and perks to failed restaurant executives that lose money for companies and cost hard working Americans their jobs? Paul C Paz www.WaitersWorld.com