FAIRHOPE, Ala - The Creative Outlet Dance Center was awarded damages totaling more than $12,000 in the case against former Ravenite pizzeria owner Rich Gambino. In November 2009, Gambino locked himself in his downtown restaurant and threatened to turn on the gas and cause an explosion. The threat forced police to close several city blocks of downtown Fairhope and resulted in the cancellation of the Creative Outlet’s 9:30 performance of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”

Adam Milam, an attorney with Milam and Milam LLC in Fairhope, represented Creative Outlet. “Children who were to perform were actually in the civic center at the time, which created a lot of stress,” Milam said. “The Creative Outlet lost $3,000 in ticket sales and more in seed money. They’re a nonprofit so it hurt.”

Miliam said they were able to settle with Ravenite LLC, which is now owned my Gambino’s ex-wife, for the equivalent of gift certificates for 25 pizzas. But the action against Gambino was not settled until Jan. 4, and now Creative Outlet will try to collect.

Pagan Mosher, co-director of the Creative Outlet, said they have been unable to communicate with Gambino about the case.

“He hasn’t shown up for squat, answered any certified letters or not responded in any way,” Mosher said. “I don’t expect to ever see a dime.”

Mosher added, “The reason I went after this is because (Rich Gambino) held the entire section of downtown hostage and has not spent any time in jail and has no criminal record.”