Chamber chapter.

The San Gennaro Cafe in Brentwood, owned by controversial West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce President Jay Handal, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Dennis McGoldrick, an attorney for San Gennaro Inc., said a reorganization plan is in the works, but the restaurant is not closing. There is another San Gennaro location in Culver City.

Among San Gennaro's creditors are produce vendors, utility companies and tax agencies, including Green Farms Inc., the State Board of Equalization, the Department of Water and Power, and Preferred Foods. The company's largest unsecured claims amount to nearly $65,000.

San Gennaro filed for bankruptcy on Jan. 24 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of California. McGoldrick said a creditors hearing is scheduled in about a month.

Handal has been at the helm of the West Los Angeles chamber for about seven years. He has angered some other chamber leaders in the past with aggressive tactics to grow the West Los Angeles membership. It recently changed its name and added the "greater" appellation, reflecting its broad ambitions.

According to court records, Handal filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 1991.

* Staff reporter Rachel Brown can be reached at [phone], ext. 224, or at [e-mail].