Former Snakes Den owner Pennino reneges on promise to repay former players, staff

In mid July Dust2.us reported that Snakes Den, a now-defunct organization based in Chicago, Illinois, had ceased operations while owing former staff, players, and partners around $2,850 in unpaid salaries and other expenses.

At the time of publication, Snakes Dens' former owner, Joe "Dabz" Pennino, told Dust2.us that he planned on paying all outstanding balances by the end of August, however the publication has since learned that Pennino has yet to pay any of the money he owes his former staff, players, and partners.

Starting with Snakes Den's former South African Rocket League team, who claim they are owed $2,127.50, Umar "Werty" Rasool told Dust2.us that he was last in contact with Pennino on September 4th and the team has not been paid their outstanding salaries. The Rocket League are owed the majority of outstanding dues after playing for Snakes Den from April to July.

It is a similar story for Pennino's former staff, with former General Manager Conner "cernersandals" Rhodes and former Esports Director Anthony "ynoT" Vitale telling Dust2.us that they were last in contact with Pennino on September 6th. At the time, Pennino told Rhodes he would send him his outstanding salary on September 7th, however this did not come to pass, with Pennino ignoring further text messages from Rhodes.

Rhodes and Vitale are owed $350 and $200 from their time with Snakes Den, respectively. Rhodes also confirmed Pennino did not pay LCA Broadcasting the $250 they are owed for broadcasting services.

As for the CS2 players, Shawn "JoSoo" Noah Kim and Evindar "Drop" Isik both confirmed Pennino never paid them back the $30 he owes each of them, respectively, for league fees from when they played under the Snakes Den banner.

Overall, it appears that Pennino did not make good on his previous promises to pay any of the money he owes his former staff, players, or partners, while also returning to a policy of "radio silence" that has proved immensely frustrating to those he owes money to.

Pennino previously confirmed to Dust2.us that Snakes Den, LLC. is actually a DBA ("doing business as") or trade name of himself personally. Therefore, Pennino may be personally liable for outstanding expenses, which may prove a potential avenue for the aggrieved party to acquire the money Pennino's former business owes them.

Due to legal threats made by Pennino against the publication and its staff, Dust2.us has been advised by counsel not to contact the Snakes Den owner further.