Embezzlement allegation at Healdsburg’s Molti Amici still under investigation, despite owner assurances matter is resolved

Despite assurances from two public-facing owners that nothing untoward has happened, Healdsburg police continue to investigate an allegation of “embezzlement” at Michelin-recognized Molti Amici restaurant nearly two months after an initial police report regarding the matter was filed.

The case remains open as investigators await more information from the restaurant’s owners, law enforcement officials said.

The initial allegation was outlined in a brief Healdsburg police log on June 4 when someone who claimed to hold ownership in Molti Amici called the police and told a Healdsburg officer that a “co-owner/business partner” had “failed to make deposits into the business accounts for several months,” from September 2023 to February 2024.

“Total amount $60,000,” the police log also said.

According to the log, the accused individual had said he used the money to make payments directly to vendors “instead of making deposits,” but the person who called the police said that information was “bogus.”

Police recently released a redacted report about the case but declined to answer other questions.

On its website, Molti Amici identifies longtime restaurant industry manager Jonny Barr as an owner and general manager. In a text message to The Press Democrat this week, Barr said he believed the allegations had been rescinded.

“This is up to the police department to close. That’s all the information I have at this time,” Barr wrote.

Jason Cutrer, who serves as Molti Amici’s chief executive officer, according to a May 27 California Secretary of State business filing, did not respond to a request for comment. At least one California company having the same Alameda address as Cutrer — Lox of Love Hospitality Group — is listed as holding ownership in Molti Amici. The total number of owners in the restaurant is unclear.

On July 11, both Cutrer and Barr told The Press Democrat the allegations filed with police were being retracted.

At that time, Barr told The Press Democrat, “Everything has been resolved. We just found truth to the matter. Everything was accounted for. That’s really it. All it took was digging into the paperwork. Molti Amici will continue to be open and thrive.”

Since opening last summer, Molti Amici has won critical acclaim. Earlier this month, it was tapped for inclusion in the upcoming Michelin California dining guide.

Amie Windsor is the Community Journalism Team Lead with The Press Democrat. She can be reached at amie.windsor@pressdemocrat.com or 707-521-5218.