Trumbull Man Charged with Bribery, Hindering Prosecution and Interfering

A Bridgeport restaurant owner was arrested today and charged with offering a bribe to avoid having authorities investigate sexual assault allegations against two employees of the restaurant. He is further charged with misleading state and federal officials as to the whereabouts of those employees.

John J. Vazzano, 58, of Huntington Turnpike, Trumbull, was arrested by Inspectors from the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney on a warrant charging him with one count each of Bribery of a Witness, Hindering Prosecution in the Third Degree, and Interfering with an Officer. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, a relative of a former employee of the restaurant reported that sexual assaults and harassment of the former employee occurred in November and/or December 2019.

Bribery of a Witness is a Class C felony punishable by not less than one year nor more than 10 years in prison. Hindering Prosecution, Third Degree and Interfering with an Officer are both Class A misdemeanors, each punishable by up to one year in prison.

Vazzano surrendered himself today at the Rocky Hill Police Department. He was released on a $50,000.00 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on February 25, 2021.The charges are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being prosecuted by the Statewide Prosecution Bureau of the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office.