Findings Of Fact On April 26, 1982, the Petitioner Dania Bank, filed a request with the Respondent Department of Business Regulation, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco to record a lien holder's interest against alcoholic beverage license 16-15 issued to the Respondent Chula, Inc., doing business as Chalet Ole and Chula Liquors. The lien was created on July 3, 1981, and filed with the Secretary of State on August 10, 1981.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED: That a Final Order be entered by the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco denying the Petitioner Dania Bank's request to record a lien against alcoholic beverage license number 16-15. DONE and ENTERED this 31st day of October, 1983, in Tallahassee, Florida. SHARYN L. SMITH, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 31st day of October, 1983. COPIES FURNISHED: Richard E. Whitney, Vice President The Dania Bank 255 East Dania Beach Boulevard Dania, Florida 33004 James N. Watson, Jr., Esquire Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Howard Milan Rasmussen, Director Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Harold F. X. Purnell, Esquire General Counsel Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue The issue for determination is whether Respondent committed the offenses set forth in the Administrative Action and, if so, what action should be taken.
Findings Of Fact At all times material hereto, Café was a restaurant, serving full course meals, and was located at 1599 North State Road 7, Lauderhill, Florida. At all times material hereto, the sole owner of Café was Mary Fernand. On December 18, 2003, Café, through Ms. Fernand, made application for a license from DABT. The type of license applied for was a retail alcoholic beverage license, in particular a special alcoholic beverage license, allowing it to purchase and sell alcoholic beverages. In a section of the application, "SECTION VIII-SPECIAL LICENSE REQUIREMENTS," Ms. Fernand was notified, among other things, that the "Special Alcoholic Beverage License" was "issued pursuant to 561.20(2)(b), Florida Statute [sic] or Special Act and as such we acknowledge the following requirements must be met and maintained: ... DERIVE 51 % OF GROSS REVENUE FROM FOOD AND NON- ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. SERVICE OF FULL COURSE MEALS MUST BE AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE BEING SERVED." As the person completing the application, Ms. Fernand was required to read, initial, and date Section VIII. A temporary special alcoholic license was issued by DABT to Café on December 18, 2003. The application was approved by DABT on December 19, 2003, and, subsequently, a permanent special alcoholic license was issued by DABT. DABT issued Café license number BEV16-17022 4-COP SRX. The license was held through Ms. Fernand. As a result of having been issued such a license by DABT, Café was and is subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of DABT. DABT conducts periodic audits of all restaurants holding a special SRX license to make sure that the restaurants are complying with the special license requirements. As part of this audit process, special agents from DABT, among other things, conduct announced visits, as well as undercover visits, at the restaurants and request the licensee to submit all necessary records for the audit. A SRX license holder has a continuing requirement to derive at least 51 percent of its gross revenue from sales of food and non-alcoholic beverages. DABT places the burden upon the licensee to show compliance with the SRX license requirements. Furthermore, DABT requires the licensee to keep clear, legible records in English and to submit such records if requested by one of its agents. When DABT requests the licensee to produce the records to establish compliance with the SRX license requirements, but the licensee fails to show compliance through the requested records, DABT determines that the licensee was not meeting the requirements to operate with the SRX license. The proof that DABT considers to establish compliance include monthly sales and purchase records of food and non- alcoholic beverages and sales and purchase records of alcoholic beverages, guest checks, z-tapes, monthly income statements (showing separately the food and non-alcoholic beverage sales), and sales of alcoholic beverages. On July 19, 2004, DABT's Special Agent Trenesa Davis visited Café to request Café to produce the records necessary for an audit under the SRX license. She found Café closed and locked. Special Agent Davis obtained Ms. Fernand's telephone number and contacted her that same day. Special Agent Davis informed Ms. Fernand of the records needed for the audit, and Ms. Fernand indicated that she would provide the requested records on July 21, 2004. However, Ms. Fernand failed to provide the requested records on July 21, 2004. The following day, July 22, 2004, Special Agent Davis again contacted Ms. Fernand by telephone. Ms. Fernand indicated that she would provide the requested records on July 23, 2004. But, again, Ms. Fernand failed to provide the requested records. On July 26, 2004, once again, Special Agent Davis contacted Ms. Fernand by telephone regarding the non-production of the requested records. Ms. Fernand indicated that she was ill, and Special Agent Davis informed Ms. Fernand that she could come to where Ms. Fernand was living and issue her an official notice of what DABT needed, with the compliance date. Ms. Fernand agreed, and Special Agent Davis proceeded to where Ms. Fernand was living. On that same day, July 26, 2004, Special Agent Davis issued Ms. Fernand an official notice to produce certain documents. The notice provided, among other things, that Ms. Fernand had "14 days to produce the following records: Separate records of all purchases and gross retail sales of food and non-alcoholic beverages & alcoholic beverages, Guest checks, cash register tapes, and any other documentation used to determine your food & beverage sales." Furthermore, the notice warned that "Failure to comply may result in administrative charges being filed against your alcoholic beverage license. *COMPLIANCE DATE AUGUST 13, 2004*." The notice was dated July 26, 2004. Ms. Fernand signed the notice. Ms. Fernand received the notice on July 26, 2004. On August 6, 2004, Special Agent Davis received a package from Café, but did not open it. She immediately took the package to DABT's auditor assigned to conduct Café's audit, Ronald Flores. Special Agent Davis opened the package in the presence of Auditor Flores. Inside the package were the following: (1) 11 receipts, dated between May 6 and June 23, 2004, showing purchases of alcohol from another vendor, BJ's Wholesale Club; (2) three blocks of guest checks: block one--numbered from 512402 to 512450; block two--numbered 100703, 100705, 100707- 100709, 100711, and from 100713 to 100750, with the guest checks from 100713 to 100750 being blank; and block three--numbered from 100592 to 100595 and 100632; and (3) 26 loose kitchen tickets, numbered from 84551 to 84570 and from 84572 to 84577. All of the kitchen tickets failed to reflect a date, the name Café or of any restaurant, and food sales. Further, the guest checks reflected only sales of alcoholic beverages; reflected only dates on those numbered 100708 and 100709 ("05-28-04" and "6/4"); and reflected dates ("4/18/04" through "5/31/04") and the name Café on those numbered 512402-512450, with the dates on three checks not being legible. The package contained no other record of food sales or purchases and no record of purchasing alcoholic beverages from distributors. Furthermore, the package contained no record of monthly schedules showing food and non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverage sales. Based on the records presented by Ms. Fernand, Auditor Flores was unable to perform an audit required by Café's SRX license and unable to make a determination as to whether Café met the 51 percent requirement of its license. On August 8, 2004, Special Agent Davis contacted Ms. Fernand by telephone in the presence of Auditor Flores, with the telephone on speaker-phone. Special Agent Davis inquired as to the whereabouts of Café's food and non-alcoholic beverage records. Ms. Fernand responded that she was not aware that Special Agent Davis wanted the food and non-alcoholic records but that she (Ms. Fernand) would provide them by August 13, 2004, which was the original compliance date of DABT's notice to produce records. However, Special Agent Davis did not receive any records from Ms. Fernand until August 16, 2004, three days beyond the compliance date to produce the records. The package received from Ms. Fernand contained three computer-generated documents for Café: an income statement, representing "6 Months Ended June 30, 2004"; a 2004 balance sheet, as of June 30, 2004 and 2003, and a balance sheet of liabilities and stockholders' equity, as of June 30, 2004 and 2003. Reflected at the bottom of each document was the following: "See Accountants' Compilation Report." The income statement reflected for January 1 through June 30, 2004, among other things, the following: food sales in the amount of $8,417.34 and alcohol sales in the amount of $3,039.66, totaling $11,457.00; gross profit in the amount of $5,942.51; total operating expenses in the amount of $23,901.19; and a net loss of income in the amount of $17,958.68. The income statement did not reflect monthly schedules of sales or any source of documents to verify the figures in the statement of income. No document in the package received on August 16, 2004, reflected its source or its creator, and none were signed. However, at hearing, Ms. Fernand admitted that she had prepared the income statement. Moreover, in the package received on August 16, 2004, no food sales and purchase records and no alcohol sales and purchase records were included. Again, based on the records presented by Ms. Fernand on August 16, 2004, as well as August 6, 2004, Auditor Flores was unable to perform an audit required by Café's SRX license and unable to make a determination as to whether Café met the 51 percent requirement of its license. On August 18, 2004, Auditor Flores forwarded to Special Agent Davis a memorandum advising her, among other things, that the records submitted by Café were incomplete to make a determination as to whether Café complied with the "SRX" requirements, that Café needed to provide the register tapes in order to verify sales, and that Café needed to provide monthly sales schedules with a breakdown of food and alcoholic beverage sales. Further, on August 18, 2004, Special Agent Davis issued a notice to Café that DABT intended to file an administrative complaint against it for failure to maintain records, citing the statutory provision, and SRX violations, citing the statutory provisions. The notice was mailed, certified to Café. Ms. Fernand admits that, between December 2003 and March 2004, Café sold food, as it was a "full restaurant," and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; however, no alcoholic beverages were sold in December 2003. Further, she admits that, in December 2003, she had a "get together for a few friends" and a few patrons at Café; and that, in January 2004, a party was held at Café at which alcoholic beverages were sold of which she kept records. Additionally, Ms. Fernand acknowledges that she was aware that she was required to keep records and admits that she kept records of the food sales and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage sales. Although she obtained the license from DABT for Café in December 2003, Ms. Fernand did not open Café for business until April 17, 2004, as a grand opening. On June 26, 2004, Ms. Fernand lost access to Café as a result of being closed by the City of Fort Lauderdale. Also, in August 2004, she was evicted by the landlord of the building in which Café was located. Subsequently, she paid the landlord the back rent and was allowed to use the building again. She did not re-open Café until around November 20, 2004, even though the City of Fort Lauderdale notified her around September 7, 2004, that Café could be re-opened. Because of the eviction in August 2004, when Special Agent Davis requested the documents, Ms. Fernand had to request the landlord to go into Café and get the documents for her (Ms. Fernand). Ms. Fernand provided to Special Agent Davis the documents given to her by her landlord. Prior to losing access to the building in which Café was located, during the loss of access, and after re-gaining access, a box containing Café's records was located at Café. At no time, when she did not have access, did Ms. Fernand request the landlord to bring the box to her in order to provide food and beverage records to DABT. At no time, after gaining access to the building or prior to hearing, did Ms. Fernand review the records in the box and provide the requested food and beverage records to DABT.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco enter a final order: Finding that Ran D Vou Café, d/b/a Ran D Vou Café violated Section 561.20(2)(a), Florida Statutes (2003). Finding that Ran D Vou Café, d/b/a Ran D Vou Café violated Section 561.55(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2003). Revoking the SRX license of Ran D Vou Café, d/b/a Ran D Vou Café, with prejudice for Ms. Mary Fernand not to obtain another SRX license for a five-year period, but without prejudice for her to apply for and obtain any other license for which she may be otherwise qualified to hold. DONE AND ENTERED this 24th day of April 2006, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S ERROL H. POWELL Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 24th day of April, 2006.
Findings Of Fact Based on the exhibits introduced into evidence and the testimony of the witnesses at the hearing, I make the following findings of fact: On January 3, 1984, an application for transfer of alcoholic beverage license number 16-262, in the name of I. T. Chips, Inc., to JNJ, Inc., d/b/a Apples, was delivered to the Lauderhill District Office of the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco by Michael Rapp. The application and personal questionnaire of Michael Rapp, Vice President of JNJ, Inc., revealed that he had been convicted of a felony within the last 15 years. Upon being informed by Sgt. Pat Roberts that the application for transfer would be denied because Rapp's conviction was disqualifying, Rapp withdrew the application. On January 6, 1984, Michael Rapp submitted an amended application for transfer of this same alcoholic beverage license to JNJ, Inc., d/b/a Apples. The amended application listed Janet Swift, a/k/a Janet Swift Rapp, as sole corporate officer and shareholder. An agreement for purchase and sale submitted with the application revealed that JNJ, Inc., was purchasing from MAM Restaurant Corporation all assets located at 1201 East Hallandale Beach Boulevard, Hallandale, Florida, the address of the licensee, I. T. Chips, Inc., for a total price of $418,600.00. The purchase and sale agreement acknowledged that a down payment in the amount of $18,600.00 had been made by JNJ, Inc., and provided for the remaining debt of $400,000.00 to be paid in monthly installments of $4,800.00 and be secured by a mortgage. The application stated that Frederick Cusolito and Janet Swift would be the sole financial investors in the business and that the corporation's banking business would be conducted at the Bank of Hallandale & Trust Company. Janet Swift swore that the information provided on the application was true. Whatever, Inc., is a corporation with the same business address as JNJ, Inc. Michael Rapp is the President and Secretary of Whatever, Inc. Whatever, Inc., had a bank account at the Bank of Hallandale & Trust Company and Michael Rapp was an authorized signer on the account. During January of 1984, Whatever, Inc., was writing checks to pay some of the operating expenses of the business located at 1201 East Hallandale Beach Boulevard. JNJ, Inc., with an address of 1201 East Hallandale Beach Boulevard, Hallandale, Florida, had a bank account at Flagship Bank of Miami. The bank records show Janet Swift as president of the corporation and Michael Rapp as Vice President. During December of 1983, the following deposits were made to the JNJ, Inc., account at the Flagship Bank of Miami: $92,500.00 from Martin I. Roth at L & M Consultants, $27,000.00 from David J. S. Gottfried, $39,000.00 from the Hanseatic Development Corporation (described as a "loan"), and $87,000.00 from an unidentified account at the Bank of Ireland in New York. None of the people or entities from whom these deposits were received were listed as financial investors of JNJ, Inc., on the sworn application filed by Janet Swift for the transfer to JNJ, Inc. None of them were listed as financial investors of I. T. Chips, Inc., on the sworn application filed by Janet Swift for change of business name and change of officers of I. T. Chips, Inc. Martin I. Roth, the authorized signer on the bank account of L & M Consultants who actually signed the L & M Consultants checks which were deposited in the JNJ, Inc., account, was convicted of a felony in 1981. On January 19, 1984, JNJ, Inc., borrowed $75,000.00 from Schmidt Industries, Inc., a Missouri corporation. To secure that loan, JNJ, Inc., entered into a Security Agreement (chattel mortgage) pursuant to which JNJ, Inc., pledged liquor license series number 4 COP, permit number 16-262, as security for the repayment of the $75,000.00 loan. Liquor license series number 4 COP, permit number 16-262 is the liquor license issued to I. T. Chips, Inc. 1/ The facts described in paragraphs 3, 4, 5, and 6, above, came to the attention of DABT Investigator Michael D'Ambrosia during the course of his investigation of the January 6, 1984, application to transfer the I. T. Chips, Inc., license to JNJ, Inc. D'Ambrosia met with representatives of JNJ, Inc., discussed with them the information he had acquired during the course of his investigations, and requested that he be provided with certain additional information. Thereafter, District Supervisor Richard Boyd recommended disapproval of the January 6, 1984, application on April 3, 1984. On April 4, 1984, before any final agency action was taken on the application, JNJ, Inc., withdrew the application to transfer the I. T. Chips, Inc., license to JNJ, Inc. On April 4, 1984, Janet Swift signed an application for a change of business name and a change of corporate officers of the licensee corporation, I. Chips, Inc. 2/ This application was filed on April 11, 1984, with the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. Janet Swift was again listed as sole corporate officer and shareholder. The sworn application filed in April of 1984 contained the following financial information: JNJ, Inc., which held a temporary license, which has since been withdrawn, executed an Agreement for Purchase and Sale with MAM Restaurant Corporation on 12/8/83. JNJ, Inc., the stock of which is owned exclusively by Janet Swift, has abandoned the premises, since Janet Swift has purchased all of the stock in I. T. Chips, Inc., for which she paid no consideration other than assuming the existing debts. I. T. Chips, Inc. has agreed to assume the mortgage referred to in the Agreement for Purchase and Sale; to wit, the initial principal sum of $400,000.00, payable at the rate of $4,800.00 per month, which will be paid from the proceeds of the operation of the business herein. Janet Swift is the sole and exclusive owner of T. Chips, Inc., and no other person, firm or entity has any interest, direct or indirect, in the said business. The application which was signed on April 4, 1984, and filed on April 11, 1984, did not contain any information about the financing of the business other than what is quoted immediately above, and did not list any person as having an interest in the business other than Janet Swift. On April 4, 1984, Janet Swift swore to the truth of the following statement which is printed on the application form: I swear or affirm under penalty of perjury as provided for in Florida Statutes 837.06 and 559.791, that the foregoing information is true to the best of my knowledge, and that no other person, persons, firm or corporation, except as herein indicated, has an interest in the alcoholic beverage license or cigarette permit for which these statements are made. On April 4, 1984, Schmidt Industries, Inc., had an interest in the alcoholic beverage license which was the subject of the application signed by Janet Swift, because that same license was pledged as collateral for a $75,000.00 loan, and pursuant to a chattel mortgage, Schmidt Industries, Inc., had a security interest in that license to guarantee the payment of the loan. 3/ On April 4, 1984, JNJ, Inc., was a financial investor in the I. T. Chips, Inc., license or business because I. T. Chips, Inc., received the benefit of the $18,500.00 down payment that JNJ, Inc., made to MAM Restaurant Corporation and I. T. Chips, Inc., received the benefit of the $75,000.00 that JNJ, Inc., borrowed from Schmidt Industries, Inc. On April 4, 1984, the persons and entities described in paragraph 4, above, who wrote checks deposited in the JNJ, Inc., bank account were indirect financial investors in the I. T. Chips, Inc., license or business because I. T. Chips, Inc., was either the successor to or the alter ego of JNJ, Inc. On April 4, 1984, Frederick Consolito was an indirect financial investor in the I. T. Chips, Inc., license or business because I. T. Chips, Inc., was either the successor to or the alter ego of JNJ, Inc. 4/ The foregoing findings of fact incorporate the substance of the vast majority of the findings of fact proposed by the parties. In those few instances where I have made findings contrary to the proposed findings, it is because the persuasive competent substantial evidence was to use contrary of the proposed findings. In those few instances where I have omitted the substance of findings proposed by a party, it is because the proposed finding was irrelevant, immaterial, cumulative, or not supported by persuasive competent substantial evidence.
Recommendation Based upon all of the foregoing it is recommended that the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco enter a final order denying the application for change of business name and change of corporate officers of I. T. Chips, Inc. DONE AND ORDERED this 1st day of April, 1985, in Tallahassee, Florida. MICHAEL M. PARRISH Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904)488-9675 FILED with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 1st day of March, 1985.
The Issue This case concerns the application of William E. Morey, who does business as Morey's Restaurant, to acquire a new series 2-COP beverage license from the Respondent, State of Florida, Department of Business Regulation, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, in which the Respondent has denied the license application on the grounds that the granting of such a license would be contrary to provisions of Section 561.42, Florida Statutes, and Rule 7A-4.18, Florida Administrative Code. These provisions of the Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code deal with the prohibition of a financial interest directly or indirectly between distributors of alcoholic beverages and vendors of alcoholic beverages.
Findings Of Fact The Petitioner, Willian E. Morey, applied to the State of Florida, Departent of Business Regulation, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, for the issuance of series 2-COP alcoholic beverage license. By letter dated, January 23, 1979, the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco denied the application based upon the belief that such issuance wood violate the provisions of Section 561.42, Florida Statutes, and Rule 7A-4.18, Florida Administrative Code. The pertinent provision of Section 561.42, Florida Statutes, states: 561.42 Tied house evil; financial aid and assistance to vendor by manufacturer or distributor prohibited; procedure for en- forcement; exception.-- (1) No licensed manufacturer or distributor of any of the beverages herein referred to shall have any financial interest, directly or indirectly, in the establishment or business of any vendor licensed under the Beverage Law, nor shall such licensed manu- facturer or distributor assist any vendor by any gifts or loans of money or property of any description or by the giving of rebates of any kind whatsoever. * * * In keeping with the general principle announced in Section 561.42, Florida Statutes, the Respondent has enacted Rule 7A-4.18, Florida Administrative Code, which states: 7A-4.18 Rental between vendor and distri- butor prohibited. It shall be considered a violation of Section 561.42, Florida Sta- tutes, for any distributor to rent any property to a licensed vendor or from a licensed vendor if said property is used, in whole or part as part of the licensed premises of said vendor or if said property is used in any manner in connection with said vendor's place of business. The facts in this case reveal that William E. Morey leases the premises, for which he has applied for a license, from Anthony Distributors, Inc., of 1710 West Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Florida. Anthony Distributors, Inc., is the holder of a J-DBW license to distribute alcoholic beverages in the State of Florida. This license is held with the permission of the State of Florida, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. Consequently, the issuance of a series 2-COP license to William E. Morey at a time when he is leasing the licensed premises from a distributor of alcoholic beverages, namely, Anthony Distributors, Inc., would be in violation of Section 561.42, Florida Statutes, and Role 7A-4.18, Florida Administrative Code.
Recommendation It is recommended that the Petitioner, William E. Morey's application for a series 2-COP beverage license be DENIED. DONE AND ENTERED this 10th day of August, 1979, in Tallahassee, Florida. CHARLES C. ADAMS Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 101, Collins Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 COPIES FURNISHED: Willian E. Morey d/b/a Morey's Restaurant 4101 North 66th Street St. Petersburg, Florida 33709 Mary Jo M. Gallay, Esquire Staff Attorney Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue Whether respondent's alcoholic beverage license should be disciplined on the charge that it violated Sections 212.15(2)(b) and 561.29(1)(a), Florida Statutes (1981), by failing to remit taxes collected pursuant to Chapter 212, Florida Statutes (1981).
Findings Of Fact On May 4, 1981, respondent was issued alcoholic beverage license No. 16-2232 SRX, Series 4 COP. The license has now expired. (Testimony of Boyd; P- 1.) On June 26, 1951, the Florida Department of Revenue issued a warrant for the collection of delinquent sales and use tax due and unpaid by respondent. The warrant states that respondent is indebted to the Department of Revenue for delinquent sales tax, penalty, and interest, totaling $22,710.66. This indebtedness remains outstanding and unpaid. (Testimony of Fox; P-2.)
Recommendation Based on the foregoing, it is RECOMMENDED: That the notice to show cause filed against respondent be dismissed. DONE AND RECOMMENDED this 15th day of September, 1982, in Tallahassee, Florida. R. L. CALEEN, JR. Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 15th day of September, 1982.
Findings Of Fact At all times pertinent to the allegations involved in this hearing, Respondents held 1-COP alcoholic beverage license number 66-67 at Miller's Midway, a gas station authorized to sell limited alcoholic beverages, located on U. S. Highway 98, 10 miles east of Gulf Breeze, in Santa Rosa County, Florida. The Millers have had the alcoholic beverage license since 1959 and have been operating at the present location since they built the building twenty-one years ago. In all the years they have been licensed, the Millers have not had any disciplinary trouble with any agency. Though the Millers hold, the beverage license and own the business, because of a bad back, Mr. Miller spends only one hour or so a day there, three days a week. In reality, the business is operated by his son and son-in-law. On December 7, 1983, Laura Stafford, as part of an undercover investigation of all businesses in the area, entered the licensed establishment. Her partner at the time, Officer Dees, waited in the car outside. Upon entering, Stafford spoke with Sandi English, the Millers' daughter, who was tending bar. They talked about generalities for several minutes until Stafford offered to sell Ms. English some food stamps and cigarettes at a reduced price. Ms. English refused to buy any of the food stamps but indicated she would ask around to see if anyone else wanted them. Stafford never heard anything more from Ms. English about the food stamps. However, Mr. English did agree to buy the cigarettes which Stafford had indicated were stolen. She may not have used that exact term, but she used other words, such as "hot," "ripped off," "slightly warm," and the like to indicate they were contraband, and in her opinion, there was no doubt her meaning was clear. When the deal was made, Stafford went out to her car where Dees was waiting, to get the cigarettes. While she was outside, Sandi English came out with her husband, Eddie, and at this time, Stafford again indicated that the cigarettes were stolen. The English's were still willing to buy them, so the three individuals went back toward the licensed establishment. Stafford handed over the 14 cartons of cigarettes outside the premises and was paid $56.00 for them by Sandi English when they got inside. Stafford went back to Miller's Midway on December 28, 1983. This time she was fitted with a transmitter by Sgt. Lowery before entering the premises and Lowery was listening to and taping everything that transpired. On this occasion, Stafford again talked with Eddie and Sandi English, primarily Eddie, about buying more cigarettes. Eddie told Stafford that the ones he had purchased previously were wormy and she admitted that because they were stolen, there might be some bad ones among them. Eddie indicated he would have to talk with Tom (Mr. Miller) about it. Mr. Miller denied ever having any conversation with anyone about buying stolen cigarettes. In fact, he cannot recall ever having met Stafford. However, a tape made by Sgt. Lowery, on the date in question, of the transmission from the device on Stafford clearly indicates that he was a party to this conversation. Though Stafford indicates that she indicated the cigarettes were stolen after Mr. Miller came into the conversation, the tape quality is not sufficiently clear to reflect this. There is no doubt, however, that Mr. Miller approved the purchase of the cigarettes as this was clear on the tape. Mr. Miller, however, denies ever having purchased any cigarettes in this manner. He contends he purchases all his tobacco products for resale from a commercial vendor, paying from $6.90 to $7.10 per carton. He refuses to buy anything from individuals who, from time to time, come in attempting to sell various items. In fact, while he will cooperate with local law enforcement agencies by keeping on the lookout for stolen property, he will not participate in controlled buys. In addition, he has advised the members of his family who work in the store not to sell anything illegal in there and he is sure they would not. He feels he can speak for his daughter and son-in-law when he says they would not do anything illegal because she was not raised that way and he has known his son-in-law for a long time and knows he is honest. On balance, however, the evidence supports a finding that when Mr. Miller approved the purchase of the cigarettes on December 28, he believed them to be stolen. To find otherwise would require a disregard of what is clearly Respondent's voice on the tape. Accepting that his voice is there discredits his testimony to the effect that he has never purchased cigarettes from anyone but the commercial vendor, and there is no reason to disbelieve Stafford's testimony that she advised him they were stolen. His comments regarding the integrity of his daughter and her husband are not probative of any fact in issue. In any event, Stafford transferred six cartons of cigarettes to either English or Miller on December 28, 1983, in the licensed premises and was paid $24.00 for then. Neither the cigarettes sold by Stafford December 7, 1983 nor those sold on December 28, 1983 were, in fact, stolen.
Recommendation In light of the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is, therefore: RECOMMENDED that the Respondents, THOMAS and JOYCE MILLER pay a fine of $250.00 and that their alcoholic beverage license 1-COP, number 66-67, be suspended for 90 days. RECOMMENDED this 16th day of November, 1984 in Tallahassee, Florida. ARNOLD H. POLLOCK Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 16th day of November, 1984. COPIES FURNISHED: Louisa E. Hargrett, Esquire Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 O. E. Adams, Sr., Esquire Post Office Drawer 12217 Pensacola, Florida 32581 Lt. R. E. Baxley Department of Business Regulation Post Office Box 12646 Pensacola, Florida 32501 Gary R. Rutledge, Secretary Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Howard M. Rassmussen, Director Department of Business Regulation Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue The issue presented is whether Respondent violated the Final Order of Petitioner by failing to pay $1,250 to Petitioner on or before the expiration of 30 days after the entry of the Final Order.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner is the state agency responsible for regulating the sale of alcoholic beverages. Respondent is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages pursuant to license number 15-02311, Series 4COP SRX. The licensed premises are located at 680 George J. King Boulevard, Port Canaveral, Florida, 32920. On October 2, 2000, Petitioner entered a Final Order that required Respondent to pay an administrative fine of $1,250 within 30 days of the date of entry of the order. Respondent appealed the Final Order to the First District Court of Appeal. The First District Court of Appeal upheld the Final Order. Respondent failed to pay any portion of the administrative fine.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that Petitioner enter a Final Order finding Respondent guilty of violating Section 561.29; imposing an administrative fine of $2,500, pursuant to Rule 61A-2.022(8); and permanently revoking alcoholic beverage license number 15- 02311, Series 4COP SRX. DONE AND ENTERED this 24th day of May, 2002, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. ___________________________________ DANIEL MANRY Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 24th day of May, 2002. COPIES FURNISHED: Richard Turner, Director Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco Department of Business and Professional Regulation Northwood Centre 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792 Hardy L. Roberts, III, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation Northwood Centre 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2202 Chad D. Heckman, Esquire Department of Business and Professional Regulation Northwood Centre 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2202 Raymond J. Cascella Manos Inc., d/b/a Sea Port Restaurant 680 George J. King Boulevard Port Canaveral, Florida 32920 Capt. German Garzon Department of Business and Professional Regulation 400 West Robinson Street, Room 709 North Tower, Hurston Building Orlando, Florida 32801
Findings Of Fact The Respondent, Sahara Corporation of Pensacola, admitted that on October 31, 1975, at the Sahara Club in Pensacola, Florida, one employee of the Sahara Corporation, Cynthia Ann Langford, did sell two alcoholic beverages to Connie Craig, a minor, under the age of 18. For a defense, the Sahara Corporation, stated that said minor had advised Cynthia Langford and other employees that she was over the age of 18; that the owner of the Sahara Corporation, Joseph Spadara, was not present during the sale, and that he took every reasonable precaution to prevent sales to minors. The evidence shows that Connie Delores Craig was under the age of 18 on October 31, 1975; that she was served alcoholic beverages on the licensed premises of the Sahara Club and that she consumed alcoholic beverages on the licensed premises.
Recommendation Under the circumstances as shown by the evidence and testimony at this hearing, Beverage License No. 27-27,4-COP issued to the Sahara Corporation of Pensacola, should not be suspended or revoked, but that a penalty should be assessed as a deterent to future violations of Section 562.11, F.S. Said penalty should be in an amount not in excess of $250.00. DONE and ORDERED this 7th day of May, 1976. DELPHENE C. STRICKLAND Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 530, Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 (904) 488-9675 COPIES FURNISHED: Charles F. Tunnicliff, Esquire Division of Beverage The Johns Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 Leo A. Thomas, Esquire Seville Tower, 226 South Palafox Pensacola, Florida Charles Nuzum, Director Division of Beverage Department of Business Regulation The Johns Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304
Findings Of Fact Petitioner, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, is the regulatory agency charged with enforcing beverage and cigarette tax laws. As part of its duties, Petitioner investigate the sales of cigarettes to minors (under age persons). Respondent, Workman, Inc., d/b/a Coastal Mart, is the holder of alcoholic beverage license number 39-02924, series 1-APS, and retail tobacco products permit number 39-04440. Respondent's licensed premises is located at 9931 North Florida Avenue, Tampa, Florida. Raymond Daoud is Respondent's sole stockholder and is a corporate officer. Pursuant to an anonymous complaint received by Petitioner during the spring of 1993, Special Agent Joseph A. Maggio directed investigative aide Kimberly Siebel to enter the premises of Coastal Mart and attempt to purchase cigarettes. Petitioner, during times material, utilized the services of investigative aides Kimberly Siebel and Stephanie Haley, whose birth dates are September 20, 1975, and January 24, 1978, respectively. Both aides were under the age of 18 during the spring of 1993. Investigative aides Siebel and Haley, are trained by Petitioner, when conducting investigations for the purchase of either beer or cigarettes, to enter premises and to truthfully tell their age when requested. They also provide proper identification to establish their age if requested to do so by the clerk when they are attempting to purchase beer or cigarettes. This procedure was used in this case by investigative aides Siebel and Haley when they purchased cigarettes from Respondent on May 20 and July 8, 1993. When investigative aide Siebel purchased cigarettes from Respondent on May 20, 1993, she had previously worked as an undercover operative for Petitioner approximately 30 times. On May 20, 1993, Siebel entered the premises of Respondent with Special Agent Maggio at approximately 9:25 p.m. Investigative aide Siebel approached the counter and ordered a pack of Marlboro Light cigarettes from the clerk who was later identified as Angela Schulte, an employee of Respondent. Ms. Siebel received a pack of Marlboro Light cigarettes as requested from Schulte without being asked for identification. She paid for the cigarettes and exited the store. Special Agent Maggio observed the purchase of cigarettes by Siebel from his position next in line behind her. When Siebel purchased the cigarettes from Schulte on May 20, 1993, she and Special Agent Maggio observed Respondent, Daoud, behind the counter when they entered the licensed premises. When Siebel and Maggio exited the premises, Siebel gave the cigarettes to Maggio. Maggio placed the cigarettes in a plastic bag and Siebel signed them. Maggio then sealed and placed them in the locked trunk of his vehicle until they were deposited in Petitioner's evidence file the following day. Approximately ten minutes after Siebel purchased the cigarettes and turned them over to Maggio, he reentered the premises, identified himself to Schulte, and advised her that she was under arrest for the sale of cigarettes to an under age person. Daoud was still inside the premises near the front counter. Special Agent Fisher, who is no longer employed by Petitioner, accompanied Special Agent Maggio inside the premises. Fisher completed a letter of warning and Daoud signed the warning. Fisher gave Daoud a copy of the warning as they left. On July 8, 1993, Maggio again directed investigative aide Stephanie Haley to enter Respondent's premises to attempt to purchase cigarettes. On July 8, 1993, investigative aide Haley was fifteen years old. Haley had on her person a Florida Drivers License showing her birthday to be January 24, 1978. On July 8, 1993, investigative aide Haley had previously acted as an undercover operative for Petitioner approximately 20 times. On July 8, 1993, Haley entered the premises of Respondent and approached the counter. She ordered a pack of Marlboro Light cigarettes from the clerk, who was later identified as Raymond Daoud. Daoud asked Haley for identification whereupon she presented her Florida Drivers License. Daoud examined the license and completed the transaction. Haley exited the premises and turned over the cigarettes purchased to Special Agent Maggio. Special Agents Maggio and Bock witnessed the transaction from a vantage point outside the premises. Maggio and Special Agent Bock then entered the premises of Coastal Mart and Bock identified himself and placed Daoud under arrest for the sale of cigarettes to an underage person. Daoud complained that he had been "setup" and that he remembered the girl, "thought she was young," and asked her for identification. Daoud observed Haley's license and thought that it had eighteen years of age on it. Special Agent Bock reminded Daoud that the license did not have an age on it. Daoud insisted that he thought the license had the date 1979 which would, of course, make investigative aide Haley, fourteen when she was, in fact, fifteen at the time. Petitioner has a policy of not letting undercover operatives reenter premises to allow licensed vendors to review items from undercover operatives such as their identification cards, etc., so as not to jeopardize them in future operations and for their own personal safety. Petitioner explained to Respondent that he could examine the identifying card (license) either during the hearing or in court. Respondent suspended Schulte for one week without pay for selling cigarettes to a minor. Respondent also verbally warned Schulte for selling cigarettes to a minor and reminded her that it was against company policy to do so. Schulte recalled that Respondent was "extremely mad" about the incident. Respondent would not knowingly sell cigarettes or alcoholic beverages to a minor. Respondent has operated his business for approximately three years, and this is the first infraction that he has received for the sale of beer or cigarettes to a minor.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that: Respondent's alcoholic beverage license number 39-02924, series #1-APS, be assessed a $500.00 civil penalty for each count for a total civil penalty of $1,000.00. 1/ RECOMMENDED in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, this 4th day of April, 1994. JAMES E. BRADWELL Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 4th day of April, 1994.
