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Chicago Tribune
16-07-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Dan Serafini, former Chicago Cubs pitcher, convicted of murder in the 2021 shootings of his wife's parents
AUBURN, Calif. — Retired MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini has been convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder in the shootings of his wife's parents at their home four years ago near Lake Tahoe in California. A Placer County jury on Monday found Serafini guilty of killing his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, and severely wounding his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, on June 5, 2021, at their home on the lake's west shore. Serafini, 51, also was convicted of first-degree burglary. Serafini entered the Spohrs' Lake Tahoe home June 5, 2021, where prosecutors said he secretly waited with a .22 caliber gun for several hours for the victims to return before ambushing them. Two children, ages 3 years and 8 months, were in the home at the time. According to evidence presented at trial, when the Spohrs arrived, Serafini shot both of them in the head and fled the house. Wood survived and called 911. She died by suicide in 2023. Two years later police arrested Serafini and his nanny-turned-lover, Samantha Scott, 33. Scott pleaded guilty in February to an accessory charge. Serafini's motive centered on a $1.3 million dispute over the renovation of a horse ranch, according to prosecutors. Serafini, prosecutors said, hated his in-laws and had written 'I'm gonna kill them one day' in a text message mentioning $21,000, according to ABC News Sacramento affiliate KXTV. The victims had given $90,000 to Serafini's wife, Erin, the day of the shootings. 'It's been four years since my mom and dad were shot, and it's been four years of just hell,' Adrienne Spohr, the victims' daughter and Serafini's sister-in-law, said after the verdict. Adrienne was heard gasping and crying along with others in the courtroom when the verdict was read aloud, according to KXTV. Serafini shook his head in disagreement. The mandatory minimum for first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement is 25 years to life, but could increase to 35 years depending on how the charges are applied. The Minnesota Twins made Serafini their first-round draft pick in 1992 out of Junipero Serra High in San Mateo, Calif., the same school all-time home run king Barry Bonds attended. Serafini made his big-league debut in 1996 with the Twins and pitched in parts of seven seasons with the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies. Serafini pitched in Japan from 2004-07 before returning to the U.S. He was suspended for 50 games in 2007 for using performance-enhancing drugs that he blamed on medication he took in Japan. He also pitched for Italy in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. On June 28, 2015, Serafini's bar in Sparks, Nev., was featured on an episode of Bar Rescue. The bar's named was changed from The Bullpen Bar to The Oak Tavern as part of the makeover, but not before his financial woes were described as blowing through $14 million in career earnings and taking a $250,000 loan from his parents. Serafini's sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 18. He will remain in custody without bail until then.
Entrepreneur
08-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
How Jon Taffer's Growing His Franchise Business
Taffer, known for his role in 'Bar Rescue,' teamed up with Craveworthy Brands to expand his concept, Taffer's Tavern. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Jon Taffer isn't just a TV personality. He's a walking, talking, table-flipping force in hospitality. For more than a decade, he's been shouting people into shape on Bar Rescue, building brands and turning dysfunction into multimillion-dollar operations. So when it came time to grow his own concept, Taffer's Tavern, he didn't just make a move. He made a statement. That statement? Team up with Gregg Majewski and Craveworthy Brands. In just a few years, Majewski has grown Craveworthy Brands from concept to industry powerhouse. The company now has more than 300 restaurants, 19 brands and more than $300 million in system-wide sales — and it's still growing. Taffer took notice. Related: Jon Taffer's 10% Rule Is the Productivity Hack That Could Change Your Life "I did my homework," Taffer said on the Restaurant Influencers podcast, seated with Majewski and host Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media. "I looked at the company, I looked at the culture, and I saw the way Gregg leads. He knows every employee's name. He's the real deal." This wasn't just a handshake and a headline. Taffer owned 100% of his brand. No investors. No committee. Just instinct — and his instinct told him Craveworthy was different. So they teamed up on the joint venture. It helped that Taffer wasn't the first big name to buy into Majewski's company. Before Taffer's Tavern, Craveworthy struck a deal with Shaquille O'Neal to bring his Big Chicken restaurants into the fold. That move made Taffer pay closer attention. "Gregg is quality oriented, top of game," Taffer says. "He took the time to understand my brand. I don't worry with him." Majewski is clear about the mission. "The goal has never changed," he says. "We want to build the best fricking restaurant company in the world. And we do that by building the best team in the world." He's not chasing hype. He's building infrastructure. Taffer's Tavern and Big Chicken aren't trophies. They're strategic plays in a much bigger game. To understand what makes this partnership powerful, you have to go back to where their values formed. Related: Gregg Majewski of Craveworthy Brands on the Advantages of Being #2 The people business Before Craveworthy Brands ever existed, Majewski made a promise to Dave Thomas. Yes, that Dave Thomas — the founder of Wendy's and one of Majewski's earliest mentors. The deal was simple: if Thomas poured into Majewski, Majewski would pour back into the industry when it was his turn. Now that Craveworthy is thriving, Majewski is keeping that promise. He tells stories not for the spotlight but to elevate the people who make restaurants run. His podcast, Room for Seconds, is dedicated to exactly that: sharing lessons in leadership and shining a light on the dishwashers, line cooks and unsung workers chasing the American dream. "It's not about me," he says. "They're why we do this." Taffer would agree. His most powerful moment in hospitality didn't happen on television or during a big deal. It happened in a hotel meeting room with a former dishwasher named Theo. Theo had just been promoted to prep cook. Taffer asked him to help open a new restaurant. At the team meeting, Theo stood in front of 80 employees. "I was a dishwasher six months ago," he said. "Look at me now." Taffer cried. "We're in the people business," he says. "When our employees feel that proud, everything else falls into place." That belief shows up in everything Taffer does — from the way he builds teams to how he thinks about hospitality itself. Bar Rescue made him famous for tough love. But underneath the yelling is a core value he never strays from: authenticity. "You don't fool the audience," he says. "You serve them. You connect with them. You create reactions. That's the business we're in." Now entering its tenth season, Bar Rescue is still going strong. Taffer is also reviving his podcast, this time with a sharper focus on the real issues facing the industry — and the people trying to fix them. Because for both Taffer and Majewski, legacy isn't something you inherit. It's something you build. And you build it by showing up for the people who matter most. Related: A Conversation About AI With Sam Altman Blew Their Minds — So They Wrote the Playbook for Businesses That Want to Use the Tech About Restaurant Influencers Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point-of-sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience. Toast — Powering Successful Restaurants. Learn more about Toast. Restaurant Influencers is also supported by NEXT INSURANCE. See why 600,000+ U.S. businesses trust NEXT for insurance. Related: How This Massive Food Company Turned Its Fleet of Trucks into Rolling Billboards — And the Lesson It Teaches About Brand-Building
Miami Herald
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
One-of-a-kind brewery, taprooms closing, no bankruptcy
If you watch "Bar Rescue," the Paramount Network show hosted by veteran bar operator John Taffer, you learn a few things very quickly. First, a lot of people open bars who have no business opening bars. Maybe they always dreamed of operating a bar, or just really like drinking in bars. But most of them never appear to have read a book on bar operation, Googled "how to run a bar," or even watched a few episodes of "Bar Rescue." Related: Starbucks unveils huge store updates amid turnaround plan What Taffer also teaches is that the more specialized you make your bar, the more you limit your clientele. In a crowded market, it might make sense to offer a market-appropriate concept that doesn't yet exist but that serves the market well. In most cases, however, a specific concept can limit your business. A full-on sports bar, for example, suffers on the nights and weekends when there's not major sports to watch. One of the most famous "Bar Rescue" episodes featured Taffer visiting a Pirate Bar. They dressed as pirates, served grog, and had the full over-the-top theme, despite being in a business district. The only people who enjoyed the bar worked there, and it was the wrong concept for probably anywhere, but certainly for where it was. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Taffer gave the place a makeover, and it seemed poised for success. The owners, however, seemed more into having their own fun than running a successful business, and they turned it back into a pirate bar soon after. That's often the case with heavily themed bars on "Bar Rescue," but not with one popular group of taprooms and an associated brewery. TRVE was the rare bar that had a specialized concept, but was also incredibly welcoming. The company was built around the owner's love for beer and heavy metal, but not at the expense of alienating non-metal fans. The Denver location, for example, hosted a weekly game night. "Every Tuesday we're stoked to host anyone who wants to roll dice, sling spells, allocate resources, or get a crescent wrench out of an incredibly sensitive (and apparently non-anaesthetized) patient. Call your pals, bring your games, and treat yourself to some hot chicken and cold beer," the taproom and brewery chain shared on its website. Owner and founder Nick Nunns shared his mission when he opened in an Instagram post. More bankruptcy: Iconic auto repair chain franchise files Chapter 11 bankruptcyPopular beer brand closes down and files Chapter 7 bankruptcyPopular vodka and gin brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy "In 2011, with a mediocre business plan, no professional brewing experience, and way less money than I needed, I opened TRVE with no grander machinations than making some good beer and listening to the music I liked," he wrote. The Asheville location of TRVE also hosted a game night, and both locations had a busy calendar that was not just heavy metal-driven. Nunns shared the surprising decision to shut down in the same July 4 Instagram post. "It is with a heavy heart that I'm announcing that this is the end for the TRVE taprooms. It hasn't been an easy choice, but this brewery has run its course, and for a huge number of reasons, it's the right time to send this thing off into the lake trailed by a fiery arrow," he wrote. Nunns made sure to thank the many people who helped on his nearly 15-year journey. "I cannot have done any of this alone; my sincerest and deepest thanks to everyone who made their indelible marks on TRVE. From the maniacs in the brewery to the masochists behind the bar, you were all such an immense part of why this place was what it was. I always wanted so much more for you all," he added. The founder and owner also saluted his regulars. "Equal thanks go out to all the patrons who called this place home. Heavy Metal Cheers it certainly was. Y'all kept the lights on, hell or high water," he added. The company's taprooms will close July 12, but the fate of its beer-making operation, which operates out of New Image Brewing, remains unclear. The news, however, does not appear to be good. "I constantly say that our beer got good when I stopped making it. So much of our notoriety is largely thanks to Zach, who truly made our beer program what it is today. I am so sad that we are having to do this when the beer coming out of Asheville is some of the best you've made in your career. I hope your continued quest for perfection in your art never ends," Nunns added. Fans of TRVE were devastated by the news. "There would be no Blood Of Gods without the spirit and inspiration of TRVE to lead the way. The joy in celebrating craft and creativity reverberates through eternity," wrote BloodofGodZine, a magazine TRVE supported. Related: Popular restaurant chain closes all locations, no bankruptcy InnovationBeer gave the TRVE brand a proper send-off. "I remember visiting the Denver location with my teenage sister and 70-something dad, cool it was for me to watch both ends of the age & otherwise spectrum enjoy the environment there. How I love(d) your beer and your bartenders so much," it posted. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Bar Rescue' Star Jon Taffer Files $50,000 Lawsuit
Jon Taffer is known for his brutal takedowns of bar and restaurant owners on reality television, but his next target is certainly more personal. According to documents obtained by TMZ, Taffer and his lawyer Bradford Cohen are suing a Florida-based man named Vic Caroleo. Taffer and Cohen say Caroleo has traveled around the state impersonating the "Bar Rescue" star since 2017. Taffer filed a lawsuit against Caroleo for the same behavior last year, but the man has refused to drop the act. To make matters worse, Taffer says that Cohen has performed "sexually inappropriate and abusive acts against women" while assuming Taffer's identity. A woman allegedly retained counsel in 2020 claiming that Taffer sexually assaulted her, and after "tens of thousands of dollars in expenses," Caroleo was confirmed to be the offender. Taffer says another woman approached him last year, informing him that Caroleo was impersonating him again. The woman says Caroleo had fake credit cards made to "prove" that he was actually Taffer and gain the trust of potential victims. Caroleo initially agreed to stop impersonating Taffer last year, but it appears that stronger legal action is needed. Taffer is now seeking $50,000 in damages, and he is seeking the assistance of Collier County, Florida in the matter. In the filing, Cohen says that Caroleo "continued to expose Mr. Taffer to ridicule and shame, causing substantial and irreparable damage to Mr. Taffer's personal and professional reputation, and violated his rights, including his right to control his name and likeness." Taffer rose to prominence after "Bar Rescue" premiered in 2011. The show follows Taffer - a former consultant in the food and beverage industry - as he travels to bars and restaurants around the country. Taffer usually gives the owners of the failing establishments he visits ways to improve, and his reactions to employees and owners are the backbone of the show. The show continues to air on the Paramount Network to this day, and Taffer has opened a chain of restaurants bearing his name around the country. We'll see if the latest lawsuit prevents Taffer from being impersonated after repeated attempts to stop Caroleo's efforts. 'Bar Rescue' Star Jon Taffer Files $50,000 Lawsuit first appeared on Men's Journal on May 22, 2025
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Ex-MLB Pitcher's Murder Trial Pauses After 'Shocking' Crime Scene Testimony
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Testimony is underway in the murder trial of former major league pitcher Dan Serafini, with the prosecution providing graphic evidence from the scene of the crime. Serafini, 51, is accused of shooting Gary Spohr and his wife, Wendy Wood, in their Lake Tahoe-area home on June 5, 2021. He has been present in the Auburn, California courthouse for the first two days of the trial, which paused Wednesday. More news: Jury Selection Begins in Murder Trial of Former MLB Pitcher On Monday, Placer County Deputy District Attorney Richard Miller and Serafini's defense attorney, David Dratman, made their opening statements. Dan Serafini #29 of the Colorado Rockies delivers the pitch during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on September 5, 2007 in Denver. Dan Serafini #29 of the Colorado Rockies delivers the pitch during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on September 5, 2007 in to Sacramento television station KCRA, jurors heard audio of the 9-1-1 call placed by Wood, saw bloody crime scene photos, and heard testimony from Capt. Gary Nelson with the North Tahoe Fire Protection District on Tuesday. Nelson testified that the Homewood, California scene of the shootings was "shocking," per KCRA's Jonathan Ayestas. More news: Former Red Sox Pitcher's Cause of Death Revealed: Report From 1996-2007, Serafini pitched for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies, and Cincinnati Reds. His MLB career effectively ended when he was suspended 50 games in November 2007 for failing a performance-enhancing drug test. As a major leaguer, Serafini went 15-16 with a 6.04 ERA (76 ERA+) in 104 career games (33 starts). He went 9-6 with a 5.88 ERA with the Twins from 1996-98, his longest tenure with any one organization. More news: Two-Time American League All-Star Infielder Passes Away Serafini retired after pitching four games as a 39-year-old in the Mexican League in 2013. He struggled financially in the years that followed his playing career. Serafini was featured in an episode of "Bar Rescue" that aired in 2015, which pulled back the curtain on one of his failed investments. More news: Three-Time American League All-Star, World Series Champion, Passes Away Days after the June 2021 shooting in Homewood, investigators uncovered a surveillance video from the Spohrs' home showing a man wearing a hoodie approaching the residence hours before the shooting. Detectives later identified the man as Serafini, who was arrested in 2023. More news: Former MLB Outfielder, World Series Series Champion, Dies From Brain Injury Dratman argued the hooded man in the surveillance video is not Serafini, according to The plausibility of this argument figures to be a key component in the outcome of the trial. Soon enough, Serafini's fate will rest in the hands of the Placer County jurors. According to KCRA, testimony is expected to resume Thursday. For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
