March 21, 2019
| Albany, NY
Albany, NY – The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) summarily suspended the license of RRR Lounge at 87-18 Liberty Avenue in Ozone Park. The suspension was ordered by Chairman Vincent Bradley, Commissioner Lily Fan, and Commissioner Greeley Ford at a meeting of the Full Board on March 20, 2019. Effective immediately, no alcohol may be sold or consumed on the premises. During the suspension period the SLA intends to seek the permanent cancellation or revocation of the license.
On March 9, 2019, a large brawl broke out inside the RRR Lounge spilling out onto the street. NYPD officers on the scene conducting a directed patrol report during the melee, a fight ensured with an off-duty bouncer attempting to wrestle a semi-automatic handgun from a patron. During the struggle, the patron fired several rounds, striking the bouncer in the foot. After the patron refused NYPD commands to drop the weapon, officers fired several rounds, striking the patron in the leg and torso. The patron was arrested and transported to Jamaica Hospital for treatment.
On March 15, 2019 the SLA and the NYPD conducted a follow up inspection, with the SLA citing the bar with thirty-seven violations, including operating a disorderly premise, employing unlicensed security, refusing to permit an inspection, failure to maintain books and records, purchasing alcohol from an unauthorized source, operating outside their approved method of operation and for becoming a focal point for police attention.
The March 9th shooting is just the latest in a series of disorders emanating from the RRR Lounge. The SLA currently has three revocation proceedings pending against the bar for charges including operating a disorderly premises, selling to minors, excessive noise, and operating a disorderly premises relating to a January 29, 2019 stabbing.
“The SLA has zero tolerance for bars where violence is a routine occurrence, threatening the safety of their neighborhoods and straining police resources,” said SLA Chairman Vincent Bradley. “This emergency suspension should serve as a message that this agency will not hesitate to take immediate action when a bar poses a threat to public health and safety.”
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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