A former Bethel restaurant owner accused of raping two employees three years ago, will be back in court to face those charges.
Tony Fernandes, 51, a former co-owner of the popular eatery, Tonelli’s, will be in Danbury Superior Court on Dec. 16 for a jury trial.
Fernandes, who is also accused of sexually assaulting two waitress in separate incidents, faces two counts of first-degree sexual assault, according to court filings.
In April 2013, Fernandes turned himself in to police after he was aware of the charges. He was released after posting a $200,000 bond.
According to court documents, the then 20-year-old waitress he is accused of assaulting in December 2011 said Fernandes grabbed her and forced her to sit on his lap, ignoring her pleas for him to stop.
The other waitress, then 26, who had worked at the restaurant since April 2011, confided to the younger woman that she had been raped by Fernandes several months earlier, the affidavit said.
Fernandes later conceded to investigators he had sexual relations with the women, but he said they were consensual.
Authorities said several other female employees came forward, telling investigators Fernandes had made improper sexual overtures to them in the past.
Fernandes could face 20 years in prison for each sexual assault charge.