HSBC files writ against Vigilante, AG Pettingill
HSBC Bermuda has filed a writ against Attorney General Mark Pettingill in the continuing legal saga involving restaurateur Claudio Vigilante.The latest legal action by the bank also names Mr Vigilante and Rehanna Palumbo, Elbow Beach sales and marketing director.Mr Vigilante was director of the former Fresco’s group, which included Fresco’s, Silk Thai Cuisine, 64 Bar and Grill at Port Royal Golf Course, and Opus Café and Grill.Mr Pettingill was a director in some of the restaurants.The writ filed in Supreme Court is as follows: Between HSBC Bank Bermuda Ltd VS (1) Gianni Claudio Vigilante 2) Mark Pettingill 3) Rhanna Palumbo 4) Alessandre Palumbo.The writ is the latest in a series of legal filings over the troubles of the former Fresco’s group, which has been the subject of a number of separate legal cases involving various shareholders and parties.Attorney General Mr Pettingill did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while Ms Palumbo declined to comment on the writ.HSBC Bermuda has filed two other writs against Mr Vigilante, and also against Bristol Cellar, and against Rosemarie Madeiros and Christopher Trott, former business partners of Mr Vigilante’s.Last October a petition to wind up Claudio Vigilante’s Associated Cuisine restaurant group was filed in Supreme Court, a spokesman for the company saying the restaurants simply could not continue in the current economic climate.