COLUMBUS — Agents visited the following liquor-permitted establishments and issued citations after witnessing violations:
Raymond T. Sizemore LLC., known as The Village Inn Bar, Utica, received a citation for improper conduct – disorderly activity, as a result of the lack of social distancing and curfew violations. Agents received a complaint from Utica Police Department, who have been called to the establishment numerous times after 10 p.m. Agents entered the establishment at 10:45 p.m. and observed approximately 10 people not wearing masks and most of them were consuming or holding beers.
K Kids Inc., known as The Deck Lounge, Eastlake, was cited for improper conduct – disorderly activities. Agents entered the establishment at 8:20 p.m. and observed approximately 60 people. The patrons were standing and walking freely about with alcoholic beverages. Facial coverings were not worn by bar staff or patrons. Patrons were closely congregated, making it difficult to move without coming into contact with one another. No physical barriers were in place. The establishment was cited in March for improper conduct – disorderly activity and allowing consumption of alcohol not purchased at premises.
B&H Events & Party Center LLC., known as Vybez Lounge, Eastlake, received a citation for improper conduct disorderly activity. Agents and officers from the Eastlake Police Department went to the location at 9:45 p.m. to deliver a citation stemming from a police case. Upon entering agents observed numerous patrons occupying consecutive seats at the bar with no social distancing measures or physical barriers in place. Patrons were permitted to stand, congregate and dance while consuming alcoholic beverages. Agents also issued a second citation for improper conduct – disorderly activity stemming from the Eastlake case on December 20. On that date Eastlake Officers found the location to be fully operational with approximately 100 patrons inside at 10:50 p.m.
Tres Hermanos Holding LLC., known as Agenda Sports Bar, Toledo, received a citation for improper conduct – disorderly activity, as a result of the lack of social distancing and curfew violations. At 10 p.m., agents observed more than 100 patrons inside the establishment not practicing social distancing. Patrons were standing, walking and dancing within close contact to one another while consuming alcohol. Agents could not make it through the establishment without maneuvering around or making contact with patrons. Patrons stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the bar. Agents observed very few people wearing masks.
The above cases will go before the Ohio Liquor Control Commission for potential penalties, including fines and/or the suspension or revocation of liquor permits.
The Ohio Investigative Unit is made up of fully-sworn, plainclothes peace officers responsible for enforcing Ohio’s alcohol, tobacco, and food stamp fraud laws. Agents conduct compliance checks to ensure the liquor permit premises are compliant with the Ohio Liquor Control Act. Agents also act on complaints of illegal activity on liquor permit premises. In addition to providing the safety checks associated with the COVID-19 directives, OIU agents continue to perform their normal compliance checks to ensure the liquor permit premises are complying with the Ohio Liquor Control Act.
