Five Star Bank is asking a federal judge to consider partially lifting a stay order pausing its lawsuit against former restaurateur and event space operator Katherine Mott-Formicola.
The bank is seeking to recover approximately $21 million it currently estimates she stole in a check-kiting scheme. But the lawsuit, filed in 2024, has been on hold since January, leaving Five Star unable to trace and attempt to recover any of the money.
Mott-Formicola owned Crescent Beach in Greece and Monroe’s restaurant in Pittsford, and operated The Wintergarden in downtown Rochester. She pleaded guilty to federal charges of fraud and money laundering a year ago but has yet to be sentenced. The criminal case has been adjourned four times this year, pushing sentencing to March 2026…