ATASCADERO — Fans of Fatte’s Pizza in Atascadero were surprised and saddened when the establishment unexpectedly closed its doors at the end of January. Employees were sent home without paychecks and with a promise that they would have their jobs back as soon as the store reopened, according to former employee Jeff Simoini who worked as a delivery driver for the business beginning in late December.
Patrons were again surprised when Fatte’s owner Darryl Allan left a lengthy note on the front doors of the business this week outlining his reasons for closing the store, which included him being the alleged victim of identity theft, fraud and harassment by a group of unnamed individuals. Allan, using the pseudonym Richard Johnson, Jr., also posted the note on the Facebook Group “I grew up in Atascadero.”
“For reasons unforeseen, the owner, Darryl Allan, made a decision to protect you, the customer & himself, his staff, and the good name of the company,” the note began. “In August 2019, a data breach into the business bank account, a burglary at his residence, and a break in into his storage unit occured (sic). Amongst the data breach, numerous personal files, equipment, and valuable’s (sic) undisclosed were missing.”
Allan’s note claimed he reported the alleged crimes to authorities and that “thanks to the Atascadero Police, the FBI, and Homeland Security some items were returned and the identity of those allegedly responsible are now being detained. An organization of skilled and hungry con artists are responsible for approximately $500,000 of missing assets, equipment, business income, and personal property. The suggestion by law enforcement to close and bring the suspects out of hiding to possibly confront me was a terrifying proposition to me.”
The Atascadero News reached out to the Atascadero Police Department about the matter but they denied having any knowledge of the alleged crimes against Allan.
“I found no record of Mr. Allan reporting an incident of data breach and we are not working any active cases with the FBI or Homeland Security,” Sgt. Jeffrey Wilshusen wrote in an email to the Atascadero News Thursday. The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office similarly denied having any active investigations into the alleged crimes. Laura Eimiller, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles field office of the FBI, said that the agency was “unaware” of the claims made in Allan’s note but they were unable to officially confirm or deny that an active investigation into the matter exists, per FBI policy.
According to Simoini, Allan still owes wages to the ten employees who worked at the restaurant and they have received no word on when they might be paid. Simoini expressed disbelief about Allan’s claims that he was the victim of multiple coordinated crimes.
At the end of his note, Allan promised that Fatte’s Pizza will reopen “this month.”
“My life is not about my accomplishments, it’s always been about today, right now,” Allan wrote in the note. “Fatte’s will reopen thanks to the patience & tolerance of others.”

See below for a photo of the note posted at Fatte’s along with a transcription:

Transcription:

Fatte’s Pizza is sorry to announce that we are temporarily closed. For reasons unforeseen, the owner DARRYL ALLAN, made a decision to protect, you the customer & himself, his staff, and the good name of the company. In August 2019, a data breach into the business bank account, a burglary at his residence, and a break in into his storage unit occured. Amongst the data breach, numerous personal files, equipment, and valuable’s undisclosed were missing. At the time it was unclear who was responisble. The appropriate agencies were notified and an investigation began into all said above. 5 ½ months into the case, numerous suspects were apprehended, questioned, and new facts always emerged. Thanks to Atascadero Police, the FBI, and Homeland Security some items were returned and the identity of those allegedly responsible are now being detained. An organization of skilled and hungry con artists are responsible for approximately $500,000 of missing assets, equipment, business income, and personal property. The suggestion by law enforcement to close and bring the suspects out of hiding to possibly confront me was a terrifying proposition to me.  

I was very uneasy on which direction to go, I feared for the safety of my children, my spouse, my employees, and for my customers. During this ordeal so many twists & turns & bizarre incidents have happened all thanks to the tricks this organization played any & every where I visited. It is the most trying & consuming event in my life. The difficulties faced were abundant and my integrity was challenged. My employee’s friends & family, and myself all spiraled in different directions. For the few certain individuals who believed in me and my conspiracy theories (LOL), thank you 🙂 I am a victim of identity theft, fraud, and a lot more of scandalous crimes. This type of crime is real and happening more and more. Please be mindful of others and the consequences associated with making the decision to settle a score in a way that puts someones family in jeopardy. I lost my fiance, my newborn baby girl, my step son, my oldest daughter, a house, 2 cars, a ton of phones, the good credit, 150K from the bank, many friends, my way of life, and my favorite place to be. (You know who you are). My life is not about my accomplishments, it’s always been about today, right now. Fattes will reopen thanks to the patience & tolerance of others. When? This month – 805-466-6666 Buy one get one for I PROMISE YOU!