Albany, NY – The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) summarily suspended the license of Graney’s Stout Inc., at 904 Broadway in Albany. The suspension was ordered by Chairman Vincent Bradley, Commissioner Lily Fan and Commissioner Greeley Ford at a meeting of the Full Board on May 1, 2019. Effective immediately, no alcohol may be sold or consumed on the premises.
On April 25th, investigators from the SLA, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Albany Police Department (APD) conducted a compliance inspection at the premises. The inspection was planned following an undisclosed visit by SLA Investigators weeks prior to substantiate numerous complaints of underage drinking at Graney’s.
At approximately 11:00 p.m. on April 25th, SLA Investigators entered the premises, observing approximately 100 to 150 patrons inside. At 11:50, the SLA, DMV and APD team entered the premises and began checking IDs. The investigation found that over 50 of the 200 patrons inside were under the age of twenty-one. SLA investigators obtained statements from thirty-eight underage patrons admitting to consuming alcohol at Graney’s. In addition, DMV investigators issued six tickets to minors for possessing fraudulent identifications.
On April 29th, the SLA charged Graney’s with 44 violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, including 38 counts for selling to a minor, failure to supervise, failure to conform with their license, maintaining an additional unlicensed bar and employing an unlicensed bouncer.
“Cracking down on underage sales is a priority and the SLA will not hesitate in taking immediate action against bars found in blatant violation of the law,” said SLA Vincent Bradley. “Licensees need to take basic steps to ensure their patrons are of legal age, including training employees, checking every ID and obtaining high-tech scanners to spot fakes.”
Acting DMV Commissioner and Acting Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder said “We’re proud to work with the SLA and law enforcement to stop underage drinking. The safety of minors is put at risk when they drink and even more so if they choose to drive afterwards. Establishments serving alcohol have a responsibility to follow the law in order to protect minors and all those on the road.”
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 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 administrative law 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.
On the Web: www.sla.ny.gov
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