(Albany, NY) – The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) today suspended the license of S & S Pub Inc., doing business as the “Dublin Pub” at 2002 Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park. The suspension was ordered by the Members of the SLA, Chairman Dennis Rosen and Commissioner Jeanique Greene, at a meeting of the Full Board on Wednesday, March 27, 2013. Effective immediately, no alcohol can be served or consumed on the premises.
The decision to suspend the license is based on two recent referrals sent to the SLA from the Nassau County Police Department. On February 22, 2013, police officers responded to a 911 call that a 19 year old woman was highly intoxicated and passed out on the floor of the bathroom at the Dublin Pub. The woman, who was transported to a hospital and treated for intoxication, later provided the SLA a written statement that she and six friends were consuming alcohol at the bar and had done so on at least ten occasions in the recent past. She also stated that her friend was told by the bar’s bouncer to falsely state that she was intoxicated when she entered the bar.
Additionally, on March 1, 2013, Nassau County Police officers observed a visibly intoxicated 18 year man exit the Dublin Pub. Four bartenders were subsequently arrested after the minor stated they each sold him alcohol without asking for identification. The minor was administered a breathalyzer resulting in a reading of .183 and transported to a hospital due to his state of intoxication.
“This bar has shown a dangerous disregard for the law and a total lack of concern for public health and safety,” said SLA Chairman Dennis Rosen. “Cracking down on underage sales is a priority and the SLA will not hesitate in taking emergency action against bars that cater to minors.”
The Dublin Pub was previously fined $15,000 by the SLA on March 12, 2013 for six sales to minors occurring in 2011. In addition to the fine, the bar agreed to conditions including implementing a 21 and over policy, providing T.I.P.S. (Training for Intervention Procedures by Servers of alcohol) for all staff and purchasing ID scanners. The SLA charged the bar with seven violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) law, including underage sales, sales to intoxicated patrons, and improper conduct for failure to comply with the above conditions.
The State Administrative Procedure Act authorizes a state agency to summarily suspend a license when the agency finds that public health, safety, or welfare requires emergency action. When the SLA summarily suspends a license, it also serves a Notice of Pleading alleging one or more disciplinary violations. In invoking a summary suspension, the SLA has deemed the violation, considering each licensee’s disciplinary history, to be sufficiently serious upon initial review to warrant an immediate suspension. The SLA’s decision to summarily suspend a license is not a final determination on the merits of the case. The licensee is entitled to an expedited hearing before an administrative law judge. An order of summary suspension remains in effect until such time as it is modified by the SLA or a reviewing court.
The SLA regulates and controls the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages within the state. The SLA works with local law enforcement agencies and localities across the state to ensure compliance with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. In addition, the Authority issues and renews licenses and permits to manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers of alcoholic beverages.
