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Report from TABC: Las Colinas Prime is Closed and Criminal Charges Have Been Filed

Las Colinas Prime is now closed.

Last week when I talked with the TABC about Twisted Vine, I asked Agent Holloway if he knew anything about the ongoing investigation of Las Colinas Prime. He transferred me to Agent Joe Garcia. If you read Costa’s transcript you will remember Agent Garcia. Here is an quick recap and updated status.

In July I reported Republic Restaurant in Las Colinas had changed their name to Las Colinas Prime. In the comments section, readers reported some shady activities going on at LCP. I finally tracked down Michael Costa, the man responsible for running LCP for owner Bill McCrorey, and printed the entire transcript of our conversation.  Costa denied he was arrested by the TABC. When I contacted the TABC, they said otherwise. I sent the transcripts and all of the SideDish posts to the TABC.

Las Colinas Prime is now closed but the investigation into Costa and McCrorey is still open. There is a hearing scheduled for mid-October. The original investigation has spun off in a couple of other directions (health code violations for one) and the whole deal is getting very complicated. Agent Garcia confirmed that criminal charges have been filed against Michael Costa and Bill McCrorey for “possession of an un-invoiced alcoholic beverage.” (Section 28.06 of the law states punishment is “not less than 30 days and not more than 2 years.”) Whether or not they do jail time depends on the judge. Costa was also charged with “evading arrest with the use of a vehicle” which is a “state jail felony.” Agent Garcia says Costa could “go to pen for six months to two years.”

UPDATE: I forgot to copy and paste the rest of the story. According to a police report on filed on September 22, Bill McCrorey’s wife “threatened complainant with death and fired a gun at complainant [Bill]… Threatened to kill complainant and used a firearm and shot at complainant. Complainant was in fear for his life.” (thanks to alert Disher, JW)

The Saga of Las Colinas Prime: Unpaid Workers And Bills, TABC Raids And Harassment, Ctd.

The plot at Las Colinas Prime continues to thicken.

Two weeks ago I reported on the situation going on at Las Colinas Prime. After several calls and e-mails from disgruntled employees, I interviewed Michael Costa, the man responsible for operating the restaurant. I printed the complete transcript of the interview.

Since then, several more people have come forward in the comments section.

From JS on July 7:
“I worked for them for less than a week when it was still called Republic. It was I and another waiter and we only had 6 tables in those couple of days. I never met or ever heard of [owner] Bill [McCrorey]. I was told by Brian Luisi that Costa owned it and Brian was the manager. I did see the expensive scotch and vodka bottles be filled with cheap versions. I was NEVER paid and I’m not the only one. I let it go because it was more of a joke than anything else. Brian gave me **** for quitting but I had the most uneasy feeling while working there. And there concept of having a bar in the fine dining room and crappy 90’s dance music in the other should say something.”

From David on July 15th
“Well the restaurant is still open and running. They are doing well, so I guess the hot shot attourney (sic) above didn’t get them shut down and everything said must have been a lie. …Its sad disgruntled people resort to childish slander. This should be about the restaurant, the food, drinks and the service. As far as the sign company, what kind of idiot puts a sign up without being paid first! If they really owed the money for the sign, the just go get it. Yet the sign is still up.

After reading Costa’s interview on SideDish, former co-manager Scott Adams called me. He was hoppin’ mad and wanted to go on the record. Here are excerpts from his side of the story. (more…)

The Saga of Republic Turned Las Colinas Prime: Unpaid Workers and Bills, TABC Raids and Harassment, and a Possible Happy Ending

Blue skies ahead for the troubled Las Colinas Prime?

Last month I drove past Republic in Las Colinas and noticed the name had changed to Las Colinas Prime. I called the restaurant on June 1st and talked with Brian Luisi. He told me the tapas-restaurant-turned-steakhouse had changed concepts and names. The restaurant, owned by Bill McCrorey, is managed by Michael Costa’s Rainmaker Restaurant Group. Costa is no stranger to the local scene. He was involved in other Dallas restaurants such as Toscana, Mediterraneo, and Sfuzzi. I reported the story.  Over. Easy.

Yow. Zah. I stirred up a hornet’s nest. Former and current employees and contractors left horror stories in the comment section. It didn’t take long before I started receiving accusatory e-mails and phone calls. Their beef? It’s a really long story and you’ll have to jump. (more…)

Republic in Las Colinas and Republic in Uptown Change Names and Concepts

I just got off the phone with Brian Luisi, a nice man at Las Colinas Prime. What is Las Colinas Prime? I’m glad you asked. It’s the new name for the former Republic in Las Colinas, the tapas restaurant turned steakhouse managed by Michael Costa’s Rainmaker Restaurant Group.  Brian also confirmed that Republic’s Uptown location on Hall Street is changing names and menus as well. (Let’s hope it isn’t Las Colinas Prime, that would be weird.)

I have a call into Costa, the man who has been involved in Dallas restaurants such as Toscana, Mediterraneo, Sfuzzi, and Trece. Hmm, interesting isn’t it? Wonder what Park Cities Prime thinks? Will every neighborhood in Dallas soon have a Prime? I sure ask a lot of questions for a girl from Dallas?

Gridiron Chef Classic Asks If You’re Ready For Some Football

Last night, I went to the Cowboys game (see pic at left). I had so much fun, but I did not see one thing I wanted to eat (good thing Tei Tei was open late). However, the first annual Gridiron Chef Classic sounds like the proper way to pair football and food to me. On September 13, two nights before the Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Monday Night football match-up, the Omni Mandalay Hotel in Las Colinas will host chefs from Dallas and Philadelphia in an Iron Chef-style battle, all to raise money for the James Beard Foundation. Guests will get a three-course dinner to munch on while the chefs duke it out on special Electrolux outdoor kitchens. For resys, call 972-869-5506. Jump for all the details, including which chefs will be facing off.

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