Nearly 500 Complaints Made Against R.I. Restaurant

The Attorney General's office is looking into about 500 complaints lodged against a closed Rhode Island restaurant.

WJAR-TV reports that Faial Restaurant in Smithfield closed in late June, reopened, and then abruptly closed again on July 7.

The Attorney General's office says it has received complaints from consumers holding gift certificates. It says it filed a civil investigative demand against the restaurant owners Friday after they were unable to contact them.

The document says the owners engaged in acts or practices "unfair or deceptive to the consumer," among others and says they must meet with attorneys on July 20. The owners have been asked to bring records of all gift certificates sold and the people who bought them.

It's unclear if customers can get their money back.