https://www.pennlive.com/daily-buzz...-in-pa-casino-over-alleged-mob-ties.html

Pizzeria blocked from opening in Pa. casino over alleged ‘mob ties’
Updated Nov 20; Posted Nov 20
Lombardi’s pizzeria was to have a new home inside the Parx casino in Bensalem, Pa., but the deal was blocked for a reason seemingly ripped from a rejected Godfather script.

Lombardi’s is billed as America’s oldest pizzeria, founded in New York’s Little Italy.

The pizza business, owned by Michael Giammarino, was to have a new home inside the Parx casino in Bensalem, Pa., but the deal was blocked for an alleged reason seemingly ripped from a rejected Godfather script.

According to Philly.com, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board moved to revoke Giammarino’s permit, with state investigators saying he and his pizza shop were unsuitable to be a gaming service provider “due to his associations with reputed organized crime members.”

Philly.com writes Parx paid Giammarino $155,000 for his investment but dropped Lombardi's. Instead, it opened a pizzeria under the name Oliveto earlier this year.

Ever since, Giammarino has been attempting to clear his name, and has challenged the decision, Philly.com adds, quoting the 53-year-old pizza maker as saying:

"Everybody's going to make the assumption that I'm mobbed up, and it's not true."

No word yet on whether the dough will rise on his appeal.