New Jersey Attorney General Announces ABC Violations by 22 Licensees
In a press release issued on May 1st the Attorney General of New Jersey announced that the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control had filed charges for violations of State ABC laws against twenty-two (22) different liquor licenses. These establishments included bars, restaurants, breweries and liquor stores. Of the 22 establishment charged, 20 of them are facing a suspension of their liquor license while the other 2 are facing a fine in lieu of prosecution.
Each of these cases involve alleged violations of Governor Murphy’s Executive Order pertaining to the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages during the COVID-19 crisis. While liquor licensees are permitted to sell alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are restricted to only offer take-out or delivery services of food and alcohol. Table or bar service is prohibited, on premise alcohol consumption is prohibited, and alcoholic beverages “to go” must be in sealed original containers. That means that “house-made” drinks sold in cups or containers are a violation of law.
What Places Were Charged with Violating COVID-19 Rules?
The establishments facing suspension for violating the orders are:
- Alchemist and Barrister in Princeton
- Bask Bar and Grill in Woodland Park
- Buteco Sports Bar in Long Branch
- Core 3 Brewery in Clayton
- Devil’s Creek Brewery in Collingswood
- Disabled American Veterans, Clifton Chapter #2 in Clifton
- Lina’s Restaurant in Bloomingdale
- Linwood Inn in Linden
- Medina Liquor Store in Elizabeth
- Old Glory Kitchen and Spirits in Keyport
- Quilvio’s Tavern in Paterson
- Rail’s Steak House in Towaco
- Randolph Diner in Randolph
- Riviera Maya in Branchville
- Riviera Maya in Rockaway
- Tacos El Tio in Medford
- Taphouse 15 in Wharton
- The Sawmill in Seaside Heights
- Vincenzo’s Ristorante in Middlesex
The establishments facing fines only are:
- Juliano’s Restaurant in Egg Harbor Township for offering investigators a beer before they identified themselves.
- The Liquor King in Pennsauken for violation of face mask requirements.
ABC Law Attorney In New Jersey
Proetta, Oliver & Fay is a law firm that specializes in alcoholic beverage control laws. We handle transactions, regulatory violations and compliance issues for licensees across all three tiers of the alcoholic beverage industry. Firm partner, William C. Fay, is a former Deputy Attorney General who spent part of his career as a prosecuting attorney for the Division of ABC before returning to private practice. Mr. Fay has a unique understanding of the rules an regulations that surround the alcoholic beverage industry. For an immediate consultation with Mr. Fay, please contact our office directly at (732) 858-5857.
