The owner of Roggie’s, a popular Brighton sports bar that had recently started to host live music in its basement, appeared in court today for allegedly misleading police about an unconscious man found outside the Cleveland Circle establishment.
According to Channel 7 WDHD, John Rogaris appeared in Suffolk Superior Court today to plead not guilty “to charges of lying to police and destroying evidence. He is also accused of telling workers not to cooperate with the investigation.”
A trial date was set for January 14 and Rogaris will return to court on August 14, according to the report. In the meantime, the bar side of Roggie’s and its basement remain closed; a small dine-in area remains open.
Here’s some background and more information from WHDH:
A man was found by a dumpster at Roggie’s on May 23. He was originally believed to have been assaulted, but police are now saying that the man fell down the stairs at the bar and Rogaris had employees move his body outside and leave him.
The District Attorney said investigators requested copies of all surveillance but claimed Rogaris said there was none. When police finally got surveillance, it showed two men carrying the victim outside. The DA also said that Rogaris offered money to an employee to take the fall for him.
“We want this question answered. How can a person do this to another person and essentially, just leave them for dead?” said Bill Daley, the victim’s attorney.
No comment from Rogaris, whose attorney, Alan Rose, said his record was spotless. “He has worked hard in Boston to run a successful business. The allegations in the indictment are just that: They are allegations,” Rose said. “We have no idea at this time what the Commonwealth’s witnesses are and what the evidence is. We look forward to defending Mr. Rogaris in this matter.”
Rogaris was booked at Boston Police station and bail was set at $100.
Here’s video of the news report: