The former owner of Sault Ste. Marie’s iconic Muio’s restaurant has been charged with theft and fraud for allegedly bilking more than $360,000 from a person he acted for as power of attorney.
Robert DiRenzo, 54, turned himself in at Sault Police headquarters on Monday in connection with an investigation that began last November.
In a news release issued today, Sault Police say the investigation was launched “in response to reports of the accused defrauding someone known to them.”
“Investigation revealed the accused, who had power of attorney over the victim’s finances, defrauded them of approximately $362,283 between March 2020 and December 2023,” the release alleges.
DiRenzo was arrested and charged with:
- Fraud Over $5,000
- Theft by Person Holding Power of Attorney
- Use of Credit Card x3
He was released on an undertaking and is scheduled back in court on March 25, 2024.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and DiRenzo is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Reached by phone on Thursday, DiRenzo told SooToday he is “absolutely” innocent of the charges.
“I really don’t know what to say about it because it’s just shocking to all of us,” he said. “They’re really destroying our family and we are contesting everything. I can’t believe that it’s out there.”
DiRenzo said the real story “will all come out.”
A well-known restaurateur in the Sault, DiRenzo operated Muio’s at the corner of Queen and East streets from 1997 until he put the building up for sale in 2021.
The landmark address was sold to new owners last June.