|
(Columbus) - Agents visited the following liquor-permitted establishments and issued citations after witnessing the violations:
David Shelton, known as Aftermath, Columbus, received a citation for improper conduct – disorderly activities. Agents arrived at 9:30 p.m. and observed egregious violations of health orders as approximately 500 people inside attended a concert. The dance floor and stage area, as well as the bar and table sections were crowded with patrons. Patrons were congregated throughout the premises with no attempts to maintain social distancing and no physical barriers in place. Agents observed patrons standing, walking freely and sharing alcoholic beverages directly from the same bottle as they were passed between groups. No social distancing or physical barriers were in place. Most of the crowd and the employees were not wearing facial coverings.
Putnam Tavern, Zanesville, received a citation for improper conduct – disorderly activity. The Muskingum County Health Department referred a complaint to agents. On December 4, at 10:50 p.m., agents visited the establishment and observed approximately 25 patrons inside. Many patrons were standing while consuming alcohol and other beverages, crowding the bar with no social distancing measures or physical barriers in place. None of the employees or patrons were wearing masks. Agents met with the bar manager on December 5 and explained the corrective measures that need to be taken and issued the citation.
These 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.
# # #
|
