Case dropped against BC restaurateur accused of defrauding Penticton winery

Crown prosecutors have stayed a charge of fraud against a BC restaurateur accused of defrauding a Penticton winery.

In July 2025, Giulio Miceli was charged with fraud over $5,000 in connection with a business partnership he had with the Play Estate Winery and Jason Pechet.

The case appeared to have been going to trial, but on April 16, the Crown stayed the charge. It’s customary for Crown prosecutors not to give reasons when charges are stayed.

“Mr. Miceli is, and has always been, factually innocent of the allegations made against him,” his lawyer Joven Narwal said in a statement. “These charges should never have been laid. Today’s outcome confirms what we have maintained from the outset.”

The fraud allegations were in relation to a business dispute between the winery and Miceli, which is ongoing in civil court.

Court documents say that in 2021, Miceli was contracted to provide management services to the Play Winery and its restaurant. 

It’s not known what took place, but in 2023, the winery sued Miceli, accusing him of diverting $200,000 from the winery to himself. 

The winery accuses Miceli of overpaying himself, submitting improper invoices for expenses, and hiring relatives who weren’t qualified. In court documents, the winery alleges he tried to bankrupt the business for his own personal gain.

Miceli disputes this and says it’s actually the winery that owes him money.

The restaurateur accuses the winery of reneging on a business deal and that it owes him almost $400,000.

The civil dispute is ticking through the courts.

His lawyer said that after Miceli was charged, he and his family endured months of turmoil. 

“That harm cannot be fully undone,” Narwal said. “But today’s outcome allows Mr. Miceli and his family to move forward.”

Miceli is a part-owner of Vancouver’s La Terrazza, which opened in 1998 and is known for its extensive wine list and the place where Drake once stopped in for lunch.