A federal judge has set sentencing for Dec. 4 for a Westport-based financial advisor and former member of the Stamford Board of Representatives who prosecutors said defrauded clients of more than $190,000.

Michael Lombardo, 38, of Stamford pleaded guilty Sept. 11 before a federal court in Hartford to one count of wire fraud, said Deirdre M. Daly, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.

Prosecutors said Lombardo worked for a Westport-based investment firm –- identified by Lombardo in his LinkedIn biography as David Lerner Associates –- from approximately September 2011 to February 2014.

During that period, he engaged in a scheme to defraud more than 20 of his investment clients by diverting more than $190,000 in client funds for his personal use, prosecutors said.

NEAT Coffee and Craft Cocktails has opened at Westport’s 6 Wilton Road, the former firehouse that is a part of the National Hall redevelopment. Co-owned by Rachel Haughey who is owner of NEAT at 20 Grove St., Darien (see WestportNow June 27, 2014), she has teamed up with Bobby Werhane, owner of Experience Hospitality with whom NEAT has partnered and Kevin Lalumiere, according to chef Brian Reilly. The every day hours: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. for coffee, pastries and light breakfast items, and from 5 p.m.-midnight for craft cocktails, bar snacks and sandwiches. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

There was an official ribbon cutting Friday for Amadeus Piano, 240 Post Road East. Open since June, it sprecializes in piano tuning, repairs, restoration, refinishing, rentals, sales, storage and moving. Among those taking part were Second Selectman Avi Kaner (3rd l), Matthew Mandell (2nd l), president of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce, and owner Yuri Feygin (c). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Digital First Media, which operates the Westport Minuteman newspaper and website, announced today that it had retained an adviser to help it explore “strategic alternatives,” including a sale of some or all of the company.

Chief Executive John Paton said UBS Securities will help Digital First Media review alternatives that include selling the entire company, selling regional clusters, doing nothing or expanding the company. The company said there is no guarantee the process will result in any deals.

Digital First Media, based in New York, was formed in December 2013 with the merger of MediaNews Group and the former Journal Register Company.

It is the nation’s second-largest newspaper company, based on circulation, operating in 15 states, with 800 multi-platform news and information products, including 76 daily and Sunday newspapers—among them the New Haven Register—and 160 weeklies, including the Westport Minuteman and Fairfield Minuteman.

There was an all-day workshop at the Westport Library today for women-owned business entrepreneurs. Among the speakers was Skyler Fernandes (r), founder and managing director of New York-based Simon Ventures, a capital investment firm. The event was hosted by Westporters Janis Collins and Jen Gabler, co-founders of Refinery, a nonprofit that “helps women-led businesses scale-up and grow their company,” according to Collins. She said more than 50 women attended the program, which was followed by a two hour networking session held at a women-owned restaurant, the Granola Bar in Playhouse Square. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com