A former administrative assistant who was asked by her boss to aid and abet in the murder of his brother took home top honors in a “Bosses From Hell” contest celebrating National Administrative Assistants Day. (Fountain Valley resident Ellen Rohan described how her boss, who had brought in a gun that day along with a photo of his brother, asked her to alert him when the potential victim entered the office. She took action to ensure that no murder took place but the outrageous request still haunts her to this day.
Rohan was among 7 finalists in a “Bosses From Hell” contest sponsored by Antonello Ristorante at South Coast Plaza Village in Santa Ana. Each told their story before a panel of judges who selected Rohan’s tale of terror.
“Administrative assistants are the backbone of the corporate world…the unsung heroes that actually get things done and keep businesses moving forward,” said Antonello chef/owner Antonio Cagnolo. “Bosses expect loyalty but sometimes their demands can be extreme as we learned from our finalists.”

The other finalists were:

* Katrina Haghighi (Huntington Beach): boss asked her to cook rancid pastrami to burn off green mold.
* Dawne Reed (Fountain Valley): boss told her to print up a fake official notice on dummied up government letterhead as a practical joke on another employee. Officials from the government fraud department showed up demanding to know who wrote the letter.
* Ariann Conroy (Yorba Linda): worked at a hotel frequented by pro sports teams. She was instructed to deliver condoms to the athletes rooms and run interference when their wives showed up unannounced.
* Delia Quezada (Santa Ana): had to inject her boss with “unknown substance” that later turned out to be an illicit drug (he was later arrested and sent to rehab 2 years later)
* Paris Winston: (Ontario): gay male employee at hair salon asked to marry a fellow worker so she could obtain her green card
*Bridget Olivia (Newport Beach): worked at Medi-Spa and was asked to shave the private parts of a woman on her first day on the job.

While Rohan walked away with a $250 gift certificate the other finalists received gift certificates as well and all enjoyed a 3-course lunch as Antonello following the event.
Highly rated in the Zagat Guide for several years, Antonello has earned a sterling reputation for having served local residents as well as luminaries the world over including presidents, foreign dignitaries, movie stars, entertainers, industrialists and other leaders. The interior is lighter and airier than its original Old World theme to reflect the menu’s lighter fare boasting high flavor profiles and organic ingredients. Co-Chefs Gino Buonanoce and Salvatore Ferrara work closely with Cagnolo to develop daily specials and unique prix fixe menus many paired with wines and other spirits. Among the distinguishing features for which Antonello is renowned for its "sea to table" fresh fish often caught by Cagnolo himself and the dramatic flambé presentations with some menu items prepared tableside. Many of the Old World favorites are still on the menu. Antonello is located at 3800 S. Plaza Drive (across the street from South Coast Plaza). Visit antonello.com or call (714) 751-7153.