The Issue Whether Respondent violated the Beverage Laws as alleged in Notice to Show cause dated January 3, 1991.
Findings Of Fact At all times relevant hereto Dorsa Inc., trading as The Establishment, held 2-COP license No. 61-00066 to sell alcoholic beverages at 311 Pennsylvania Avenue, San Antonio, Florida. On October 31, 1990 several Beverage agents entered The Establishment where a Halloween party was in progress among the St. Leo College students. Upon entering the bar an employee at the door checked identification and stamped the back of the entering patron's hand. An underage operator with DABT entered with another agent and the stamp placed on the back of the minor's hand could not be distinguished from the stamp on the hand of the adult agent. The minor went to the bar and purchased beer on two occasions without further questioning or identification by the bartender. Bartenders had been directed to sell beer to those with stamps or wrist bands as they had been cleared by the bouncer at the door as age-qualified to purchase alcoholic beverages. During the evening of October 31-November 1, 1990 several minors were arrested for possessing alcoholic beverages (beer) in bottles with Annheuser- Busch labels and several others had purchased beer from the bartender. The ages of these minors were verified by driver's licenses possessed by these patrons. One of the DABT agents, Sgt. Timothy Allen, had a discussion with James John Redman III who appeared to be in charge of The Establishment. Allen was told by Redman that Redman was the new owner of The Establishment and the papers verifying this ownership were in an attorney's office in Miami. No application to change ownership has been presented at the district office of the Petitioner.
Recommendation It is recommended that the 2-COP alcoholic beverage license No. 61-00066 issued to Dorsa Inc., trading as The Establishment, be revoked. RECOMMENDED this 7th day of June, 1991, in Tallahassee, Florida. K. N. AYERS Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, FL 32399-1550 (904)488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 7th day of June, 1991. COPIES FURNISHED: Harry Hooper, Esquire Department of Business Regulation 725 S. Bronough Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1007 Lance Joseph, Esquire 9990 S.W. 77 Avenue, Suite 210 Miami, FL 33156 Richard W. Scully, Director Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1000 Janet E. Ferris, Secretary Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1000 Don D. Conn, General Counsel Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1000
The Issue Whether petitioner's suspension of respondents' license should be terminated or extended, or whether other disciplinary action should be taken against the license for the reasons alleged in the notice to show cause?
Findings Of Fact Respondents Raymond and Gwendolyn House hold alcoholic beverage license No. 27-00177, Series 4-COP, for Ray's Lounge & Package at 501 East Baars Street in a crime-ridden section of Pensacola, Florida. Until petitioner closed them down on October 27, 1991, as far as respondents and their managers knew, the licensed premises stood, in recent times, like an island in a veritable sea of open illegality. Mrs. House stationed security guards in front of the lounge, and assigned them the duty of keeping undesirables out. Young people ignore "no loitering" signs in the area and congregate on street corners, spilling into the street, blocking traffic and keeping "older folks" from passing. In the neighborhood outside respondents' establishment, drug sales take place in plain view of passersby. Although the authorities have closed the lounge, these problems persist. Except on Saturdays and Sundays when her husband opened the bar, Mrs. House arrived at ten in the morning and stayed until seven or eight at night, when she turned things over to the assistant manager, Ernestine Dunklin, or to her son Michael. Sometimes she came back after supper. The parents of six grown children, one of whom was allegedly prosecuted for selling heroin in the lounge in July of 1982, Mr. and Mrs. House have owned Ray's Lounge & Package for 18 years. Mr. House, who has worked at the Naval Air Station for two decades, leaves most of the management to his wife. Maggie Baldwin, who had worked at Ray's Package & Lounge for the last 15 years, arrived at seven and stayed until closing. She usually sat just inside the entrance, where she checked younger patrons' IDs. Neither Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Dunklin nor Ms. House has ever seen drugs used or distributed inside the lounge, or anybody appearing to use or sell drugs there. In the last few months, young women named Brenda and Senora worked at the lounge. Mario, another of the Houses' four sons and a full-time "installer" for Cox Cable, filled in for Ernestine Dunklin on August 24, 1991, when she was away at a cousin's wedding, but he has not worked at the lounge since. Like his brothers Raymond Jr., and Herman, he sometimes patronized the bar. On the night of September 1, 1991, however, Mario House was at home. John Anderson "Bud" McCants, who looked to be in his fifties, spent a lot of time at the lounge, where he was permitted to "bus" tables for tips. Although never on respondents' payroll, he also acted as a waiter, bringing drinks to patrons' tables and taking their money to a barmaid who (unlike him) was authorized to operate a cash register. He ran errands for Ms. House and often drove her home from the lounge. For these services, she paid him in cash. Many people who frequented Ray's Lounge & Package, in some cases three or four times weekly, among whom are Barbara Livingston, Helen Gaines, Randy Jean Peeples Broughton, and professional people including a doctor, an engineer, and Elmer Jenkins, a retired college professor who serves on the Escambia County School Board, have never seen or smelled drugs being used or sold there. Willie James Crenshaw, who lives four or five houses from Ray's Package & Lounge, was a regular customer Sunday nights. At least then, the crowd was mostly 50-ish and older, the proprietors' generation. But young "jits" also patronized the lounge, and respondents felt constrained to take steps to keep the premises "clean." A metal sign on the front door reads: ANYONE CAUGHT FIGHTING OR USING ANY ILLEGAL DRUGS ON THESE PREMISES WILL BE BARRED FROM THIS CLUB FOR LIFE AND SUBJECT TO DUE PROCESS OF LAW THANK YOU THE MANAGEMENT Respondents' Exhibit No. 1. Inside, signs were posted "from one end to the other," including in the bathrooms, advising patrons that monitors were on the look out for illegal activities. Friends, a grandson and employees did help monitor, including occasionally checking both bathrooms. When Ms. House thought she saw drugs being sold outside, she called the Escambia County Sheriff's Department, sometimes as often as five or six times a night. Between October 26, 1990, and October 31, 1991, sheriff's deputies made 289 trips to Ray's Package & Lounge. Perhaps partly because of her calls, law enforcement officials decided to "target" Ray's Lounge & Package. Undercover Agents Dispatched Casey Roberts, a "professional contract operator" whose primary occupation since 1972 has been as a confidential informant for law enforcement, found himself idle after some 60 domestic and an additional, approximately 60 international exploits. When he asked a friend at a federal agency for work, his friend put him in touch with Ray Reed, a special assistant to Escambia County's Sheriff, Charlie W. Johnson. The Escambia County Sheriff's Department also asked to "borrow" an undercover operative from Orange County. Orange County Deputy Sheriff Julia A. Chatman arrived in Pensacola in time to accompany Mr. Roberts to Ray's Package & Lounge on August 24, 1991. Both wore "wires," microphones and transmitters that Mr. Reed and Escambia County Deputy Sheriff Roosevelt Walker, Jr. (on every occasion but two) monitored from a vehicle nearby. As it happened, August 24, 1991, was Mrs. House's 63rd birthday. Entering the bar, the agents found what Mr. Roberts described as a "happy type of environment." After a half-hour visit to the bar between four and six o'clock that afternoon, the undercover agents returned around supper time and stayed an hour and a half. The birthday celebrants had shrimp for dinner. About ten o'clock that night, undercover agents Roberts and Chatman returned a third time and purchased a small plastic bag of cocaine from Bud McCants for $40 or $50. An occasional user of marijuana and cocaine, Mr. McCants, a "known liar and cheat," also has a problem with alcohol. (But somebody else had put the Crown Royal he was accused of stealing in his jacket pocket, he testified.) The uncontroverted testimony was that Mrs. House did not know that he "did drugs." After the purchase, the undercover agents left the bar and gave the cocaine to their handlers, then returned a fourth time and bought two more plastic bags of cocaine from "Bud" McCants for $40 each. Although she was on the premises the whole time, Mrs. House was unaware of either transaction. Both occurred while the bar was crowded. Each packet was on the order of an inch square, contained approximately one gram and could be carried unobtrusively in the palm of the hand. The next day Ms. Chatman and Mr. Roberts returned for an hour or two, and found only seven or eight other customers. Mrs. House was not at the bar then. (Her husband was not on the premises on any of the occasions on which the undercover agents visited.) Casey Roberts bought two pills containing hydromorphone hydrochloride or "Dilaudid" from Raymond House, Jr. First Roberts gave Raymond $100. A little while later Raymond left the premises. As he returned, Roberts met him at the door and received the pills in a "hand exchange." On August 30, 1991, agent Roberts paid Mr. McCants $40 for cocaine, only 25 or 30 feet from where Mrs. House, unaware of the transaction, was cleaning collard greens. On September 1, 1991, Roberts bought cocaine from McCants for $50 on two separate occasions. On September 4, 1991, Roberts again bought cocaine from McCants for $50, and also bought a single pill of hydromorphone hydrochloride (delivered in a folded napkin) for $60 from Raymond House, Jr. On September 7, 1991, the undercover agents returned to Ray's Lounge & Package Store. Ms. Chatman asked Senora where she could get some "blow," by which she meant cocaine (although Senora originally understood her inquiry to relate to marijuana.) Senora spoke to Michael Collins who approached Ms. Chatman. Eventually a third person, Dave, gave her cocaine in exchange for $50. Altogether the undercover agents went inside Ray's Lounge & Package on eight separate days, as many as four times on a single day. On ten to fifteen of these trips, they failed to obtain drugs. Ms. Chatman testified that the first time she offered Raymond House, Jr. drugs, he said "No, I don't deal with that," and returned money she had thrust on him. Now facing criminal charges, he did not testify himself. Licensees Not Shown To Be Culpable Ms. House testified convincingly that she did not know anything about any of the drug transactions proven at hearing, and that she was shocked and angry when she learned of them (on or after October 27, 1991.) The other evidence is completely consistent with her testimony in this regard. Nothing in the evidence suggested that Raymond House, Sr. had any knowledge of the transactions. The respondents knew that their son, Raymond House, Jr., was accused of agreeing to sell a packet of heroin over the telephone while working in the lounge in 1982. In fact, they removed the telephone on that account. Events in 1982 resulted in administrative proceedings against their license. Petitioner's Exhibit No. 3. Petitioner also proved that, in a case of mistaken identity, Bud McCants was arrested in 1986 on the licensed premises; and that, as it turned out, he had a single marijuana cigarette on his person at that time. But the evidence did not show that respondents knew about the marijuana (which had not occasioned the arrest.) Except for reports months and years earlier of drug use or dealing by patrons, the evidence did not clearly and convincingly show that respondents had reason to know (before October 27, 1991) of any illegal activity on the licensed premises since 1982, much less than they condoned, encouraged or fostered it. Mrs. House responded diligently and appropriately to any report of illegal activity that reached her, as far as the credible evidence showed.
Recommendation It is, accordingly recommended that petitioner terminate the suspension of respondents' license forthwith, and dismiss the notice to show cause filed against the license. RECOMMENDED this 26th day of November, 1991, in Tallahassee, Florida. ROBERT T. BENTON, II Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, FL 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 26th day of November, 1991. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER, CASE NO. 91-6985 Petitioner's proposed findings of fact Nos. 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 14 have been adopted, in substance, insofar as material. With respect to petitioner's proposed findings of fact Nos. 2, 6, 11, 13, 17, and footnote 2, the evidence did not clearly establish that Raymond House, Jr. worked as a manager of the lounge or that respondents employed him in any other capacity. Credible testimony put him behind the bar helping himself to drinks, but Ms. Dunklin, who was responsible for work assignments, testified that he was not an employee, and was not ever scheduled to work; and her testimony has been credited. With respect to petitioner's proposed finding of fact No. 3 and footnote No. 1, the evidence showed that the Houses and Mr. McCants had known each other since 1968 or 1969, but not that he had worked for them continuously since then. At all pertinent times, however, the evidence did establish that he was a de facto employee of the licensees, even though not on the payroll. With respect to petitioner's proposed findings of fact Nos. 6 and 7 and footnotes Nos. 3, 4 and 5, Casey Roberts' testimony was wholly unreliable (and came to a sudden halt when he was asked to testify without referring to the administrative complaint.) His descriptions of accused sellers and others, which he rattled off with seemingly great assurance, bore no resemblance to reality. But for Ms. Chatman's testimony and that of the law enforcement officers who monitored conversations electronically, none of the transactions with Roberts would have been established. With respect to petitioner's proposed findings of fact Nos. 15 and 18, there was no evidence of drug use or drug dealing that was not carefully hidden from respondents and their managers. Bud McCants did not testify otherwise, (even though Bud McCants was brought to the hearing from jail where he is awaiting trial on charges of selling cocaine, giving him a strong incentive to cooperate with the authorities.) The fact that patrons discarded a marijuana cigarette, "suspected cocaine," and pills when the raid occurred on October 27, 1991, does not mean these items were visible beforehand, or intended for use or sale on the premises. With respect to petitioner's proposed finding of fact No. 16, the only evidence of conviction was hearsay. Respondents' proposed findings of fact Nos. 1, 2, 3, 6, 8 and 9 have been adopted, in substance, insofar as material. With respect to respondents' proposed finding of fact No. 5, respondents did not produce all the regular customers. With respect to respondents' proposed finding of fact No. 7, the monitoring officers received uninterrupted transmissions from the undercover agents' microphones, and could hear (usually loud) music as they entered the lounge, even if they did not have visual contact then. With respect to respondents' proposed finding of fact No. 10, although petitioner proved drug transactions occurred, petitioner did not prove that respondents knew this or were in any way responsible for it. COPIES FURNISHED: Thomas A. Klein, Esquire 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1000 Leo A. Thomas, Esquire Levin, Middlebrooks, Mabie, Thomas Mayer & Mitchell P.O. Box 12308 Pensacola, FL 32501 Richard W. Scully, Director Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1000 Donald D. Conn, General Counsel Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1000
The Issue Whether Respondent's plea of nolo contendere to the crime of possession of a controlled substance (for which adjudication was withheld) is sufficient to support the imposition of discipline with regard to his alcoholic beverage license.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner is a licensing and regulatory agency of the State of Florida charged with the responsibility and duty to issue beverage licenses pursuant to Chapter 561, Florida Statutes, and applicable rules. Prior to September 11, 2000, Respondent, doing business as Smiley's, was the owner and holder of a beverage license, DBPR License No. 74-05336, Series 2-COP, which permits him to sell beer and wine for consumption on premises. On October 9, 1998, Respondent was charged by information with sale and delivery of cocaine. He was acquitted of that charge on May 12, 2000. Subsequently in a separate incident, Respondent was charged with possession of cocaine and on September 11, 2000, pleaded no contest to that charge. Pursuant to Respondent's timely request for formal proceedings, Petitioner's counsel initiated discovery in the course of this administrative proceeding through a Request for Admissions to which Respondent failed to respond. Respondent failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for this circumstance and, upon motion of Petitioner, the Request for Admissions was deemed admitted. Those admissions establish that Respondent entered a no contest plea on September 11, 2000, to the charge of possession of cocaine and that the plea bargain negotiated at that time also included two days' incarceration. Additionally, the admissions establish that Respondent is aware that possession of cocaine is a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term of five years. Respondent's own testimony is uncorroborated by other direct evidence and fails to establish that he possesses good moral character.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that Petitioner enter a final order revoking Respondent's alcoholic beverage license, DBPR License No. 74-05336, Series 2-COP. DONE AND ENTERED this 30th day of July, 2001, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. DON W. DAVIS 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 30th day of July, 2001. COPIES FURNISHED: Paul Kwilecki, Jr., Esquire 629 North Peninsula Drive Daytona Beach, Florida 32118 Michael Martinez, Esquire Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street, Suite 60 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1007 Lt. John P. Szabo Department of Business and Professional Regulation 400 West Robinson Street, Room 709 Orlando, Florida 32801 Richard Turner, Director Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792 Hardy L. Roberts, III, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2202
Findings Of Fact Early Mitchell t/a Mitchell's Fish Market holds 1-COP beverage license which authorizes the sale of beer only for consumption on the premises. At the time scheduled for the commencement of the hearing Mitchell was not present and the hearing commenced. Exhibit 1 shows that the notice of the hearing was served upon Mitchell on May 10, 1977. Shortly thereafter Mitchell arrived and the hearing proceeded. On October 5, 1976 a beverage agent accompanied by an officer from the Tallahassee Police Department inspected Mitchell's Fish Market. Inside they found a partially filled bottle of Smirnoff vodka which was seized, duly marked, and presented in evidence at the hearing. A description of the bottle was substituted for the exhibit and Exhibit 2 was returned to the Beverage Division. On March 9, 1977 another beverage officer, on a routine inspection of Mitchell's Fish Market, discovered behind the counter concealed in an open beer case, one partially filled bottle of Smirnoff vodka. The bottle was seized, marked for identification and retained in the custody of the seizing beverage officer until such time as it was produced in evidence at the hearing. A description of the bottle was entered into the record and Exhibit 3 returned to the Division of Beverage.
Findings Of Fact On March 25, 1983, Mr. Luther Thomas, petitioner in this case, who operates an automotive repair shop in Gainesville, Florida, entered the Respondent's local office and secured an Application for Alcoholic Beverage License (DBR Form 700-1) and the related Personal Questionnaire (DBR Form 710L). These forms were filled out, signed under oath by Petitioner and submitted to Respondent for processing on March 28, 1983. At the time the forms were submitted, the questionnaire had on it a question regarding whether the applicant had ever been arrested for or charged with a violation of a felony law or misdemeanor law of the State of Florida, any other state, or the United States, excluding minor traffic laws. This form was marked "No" by Petitioner. Whether he did it at the time of submittal or when it was brought to his attention by a beverage officer who came to his place of business is in question, but when it was done is immaterial. The fact remains that Petitioner stated "No" when in fact, according to his testimony at the hearing, he had been charged several times: once for failure to pay support, and twice for driving while under the influence. Also, in addition, in 1968, he appeared before a judge on an allegation of assault with intent to commit homicide, but was never arrested. He voluntarily reported to the courthouse without being placed under arrest, and the allegation was dismissed. However, since Petitioner could not state with any particularity what actually happened, and since Respondent did not produce any evidence of a charge or arrest, this incident is not considered as being reportable. The DWIs and the failures to pay support were not felonies at the time of commission. Sometime after the submission of the application, Beverage Officer Woodrow came out to Petitioner's place of business to do a sketch of the layout which was needed to process the application. During this visit, Woodrow indicated to Petitioner that they needed to talk about his arrest record. At this point, Petitioner responded to the effect that he "ain't never been arrested." The prior involvement for assault with intent to commit homicide was known to Respondent and considered at the time it issued him a prior beverage license in 1973 or 1974. Mr. Thomas felt that since he had not been arrested then, since the allegation had been dismissed, and since he had previously been issued a license with this information known to Respondent, there was no reason to list it again. This former license lapsed when Mr. Thomas went out of business after a heart attack. It was not disciplined or revoked by Respondent. The questionnaire form which Petitioner filled out contains, in the oath, the reference to Section 559.791, Florida Statutes (1981), which provides that a false statement in the questionnaire or application constitutes grounds for denial of a license. The "pending and undetermined criminal and felony charges" referred to in Respondent's letter of denial, according to Petitioner, related to three separate worthless checks. These charges were reduced to a misdemeanor and resolved by Petitioner making restitution. No jail time or fine was imposed. Mr. Thomas is presently facing misdemeanor charges in Alachua County, Florida, in violation of Section 837.06, Florida Statutes (1981) , based on the same alleged false statement in the questionnaire as are used as basis for denial of his license here.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing, it is RECOMMENDED: That Petitioner, Luther Thomas, doing business as Lake Road Beverages, be issued an alcoholic beverage license as applied for. RECOMMENDED this 14th day of December, 1983, in Tallahassee, Florida. ARNOLD H. POLLOCK, 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 14th day of December, 1983. COPIES FURNISHED: Mr. Luther Thomas 2824 N.E. 12th Street Gainesville, Florida 32601 Louisa E. Hargrett, Esquire Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Mr. Gary R. Rutledge Secretary Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Mr. Howard M. Rasmussen Director, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue Whether Sections 301 and 302 of the DABT's policy manual and form DBR 700L are unpromulgated rules which cannot be used as a basis for the DABT's decision to refuse three applications for alcoholic beverage licenses submitted by the Petitioners. Whether the agency's requirement that an applicant have county zoning approval before a state alcoholic beverage license will be granted is an invalid exercise of delegated legislative authority, under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes. Whether form DBR 700L is an invalid rule because of DBR's failure to file forms with the Secretary of State.
Findings Of Fact The joint stipulation of facts entered into by the parties on December 21, 1988, are adopted as the findings of fact in this proceeding. A copy of the stipulation is attached and made part of this Final Order.
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 in this case is whether the Petitioner's application for an alcoholic beverage license should be granted or denied.
Findings Of Fact At all times pertinent to this proceeding, Petitioner was a Florida business man who operated initially a business called the International Coffee Shop and Minit Market, located at 1342 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida, and subsequently a business called Tony Cafeteria, located at 340 1/2 Northwest 12th Avenue, Miami, Florida. Petitioner was the holder of alcoholic beverage license number 23-8402, Series 1 APS, for the International Coffee Shop and Minit Market on Miami Beach. Respondent, on May 3, 1988, served on Petitioner an emergency order of suspension of license number 23-8402, series 1 APS, "in order to protect the public safety and welfare from immediate and continuing danger of drug trafficking and illegal delivery of controlled substances in and about the licensed premises." Concurrently with the emergency order of suspension, Respondent served a notice to show cause on Petitioner alleging eight counts of narcotics transactions on the licensed premises and one count of maintaining a nuisance of the licensed premises. Petitioner did not request a hearing on the charges that resulted in the emergency order of suspension and the notice to show cause. On June 27, 1988, Respondent published its Final Order revoking Petitioner's alcoholic beverage license number 23-8402, Series 1 APS. The Final Order was served on Petitioner on July 5, 1988. That Final Order included the following conclusion: The facts set forth hereinabove demonstrate that the licensee has fostered, condoned, and/or negligently overlooked trafficking in and use of illegal narcotics and controlled substances on or about the licensed premises and has failed to exercise due diligence in supervising its employees and managing its licensed premises so as to prevent the illegal trafficking and use of narcotics on the licensed premises. In addition to the narcotics violations described in the notice to show cause regarding the International Coffee Shop and Minit Market, alcoholic beverages were being sold for consumption on Petitioner's licensed premises, and patrons on the licensed premises were gambling on pool games. The International Coffee Shop and Minit Market was located near a large elementary school. The cocaine transactions negotiated and consummated on the licensed premises during April 1988 were open and in plain view. No effort was made to conceal these activities. Children were frequently on the licensed premises during April 1988 when cocaine transactions were being openly negotiated and consummated. The first cocaine transaction at the International Coffee Shop and Minit Market during Officer Santana's undercover investigation was between Officer Santana and a patron named Clara Rodriguez. The transaction took place just inside the entrance of the International Coffee Shop and Minit Market, lighting conditions were good, and no effort was made to conceal the transaction. Petitioner was standing immediately next to Officer Santana when the cocaine transaction took place. Petitioner made no effort to stop the transaction, or to summon law enforcement, or to evict Ms. Rodriguez or Officer Santana. Petitioner commented, in Spanish, that "if you're not going to eat or drink anything, you're going to have to leave," or words to that effect. During the 13 days following the cocaine transaction described immediately above, seven additional cocaine transactions were openly conducted on the premises of the International Coffee Shop and Minit Market:. Four of these transactions were permitted by Petitioner's employee Estella; three were permitted by Petitioner's employee Angel. Five patrons, Nuri, Pipo, Maria, Clara, and Betty, were involved in these cocaine transactions. Petitioner attributes the activity on his licensed premises that resulted in the license revocation to the undesirable neighborhood of the International Coffee Shop and Minit Market and the undesirable persons who frequented the International Coffee Shop. The neighborhood of Tony Cafeteria is no better than the International Coffee Shop neighborhood. In response to a complaint, Sergeant Herrera and other members of the Miami office of the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco went to Tony Cafeteria on December 2, 1989. Petitioner's employee, Ms. Baez, sold a beer to an undercover Law Enforcement Investigator on the premises of Tony Cafeteria. Ms. Baez was cited for selling an alcoholic beverage without a license. Twenty cans and bottles of beer were seized on the premises by the officers. Petitioner works full time, 40 hours a week, at the Fountainbleau Hilton and is considered by the Head Houseman to be "a fine, dedicated worker." Three friends of Petitioner opined that Petitioner is a trustworthy, moral person. The Petitioner has never been arrested or convicted of any criminal offense. The Petitioner did not have actual knowledge of the narcotics transactions that resulted in the revocation of the alcoholic beverage license at the International Coffee Shop and Minit Market, nor was he aware that any gambling was taking place on the pool tables. In January 1990, Petitioner was issued a temporary beverage license for Tony Cafeteria, with which he operated until his license application was disapproved by Respondent. During the three-month period he operated with the temporary license he was not cited for violation of the beverage law.
Recommendation For all of the foregoing reasons, it is recommended that the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco issue a final order in this case denying the Petitioner's application for a alcoholic beverage license. RECOMMENDED in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, this 27th day of July 1990. MICHAEL M. PARRISH 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 27th day of July 1990. COPIES FURNISHED: Vidal Marino Velis, Esquire 2100 Coral Way, Suite #300 Miami, Florida 33145 John B. Fretwell, Esquire Assistant General Counsel Department of Business Regulation The Johns Building 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1007 Leonard Ivey, Director Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Department of Business Regulation The Johns Building 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1007 Joseph A. Sole General Counsel Department of Business Regulation The Johns Building 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1007
The Issue The issue presented concerns the entitlement of the named Petitioners to he granted a new Series 2-COP beverage license from the Respondent, in the face of a disapproval letter entered by the Director of the State of Florida, Division of Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco.
Findings Of Fact Bruce F. Eggett and Timothy R. Miller, the named Petitioners in this cause, have made application for the issuance of a new Series 2-COP beverage license. This application has been made with the Respondent, State of Florida, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and in response to this request the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco wrote the Petitioners on July 10, 1980, and in the course of that correspondence indicated his intent to deny the license application. The stated ground for denial was that "one of the applicants convicted of felonies within past fifteen years." The stated authority for the denial was Section 561.15, Florida Statutes. 1/ The Petitioners did not agree with the decision of the Director and orally requested an administrative hearing in this cause. This request was made with Captain Jack Wallace, Beverage Officer and District Supervisor for the Orlando, Florida, District. After receiving the oral request, this matter was made known to the legal staff of the Respondent and one of the staff attorneys, acting at the behest of the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, asked the Division of Administrative Hearings to conduct the formal hearing pursuant to Section 120.57(1), Florida Statutes. The hearing was conducted on September 8, 1980, and although the Petitioners had been duly noticed of the hearing, the Petitioners did not attend nor offer anything in behalf of their request for license. The Respondent presented copies of the license application request of both Bruce Francis Eggett and Timothy Robert Miller. The application form mentioned here is a personal questionnaire, individually, completed by the Petitioners. (Copies of those personal questionnaires pertaining to Eggett and Miller may be found as the Respondent's Exhibits No.1 and 2 admitted into evidence respectively.) Question 6 of the questionnaire asks the following: Have you ever been: Arrested for violation of any other law of this state, any other state or the United States? (excluding minor traffic) If answer to any of these questions is yes, list aliases and give full disclosure of charges, dates, arresting agencies and places of arrest." To this question, the Petitioner Eggett marked "yes" and stated (1) 1971 breaking and entering and (2) 1977, delivery of Methaquaalude. In response to the same question, Petitioner Miller answered that he had been arrested in 1968 for public intoxication and blocking traffic in Canton, Ohio. No further proof was offered by the Respondent on the question of these arrests and the disposition made of the matters.
Recommendation It is RECOMMENDED that the Director of the State of Florida, Division of Alcoholic beverage and Tobacco, deny the Petitioners, Bruce F. Eggett's and Timothy P. Miller's request to be granted a new Series 2-COP beverage license. DONE AND ENTERED this 24th day of September, 1980, in Tallahassee, Florida. CHARLES C. ADAMS 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 24th day of September, 1980. Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 24th day of September, 1980.
The Issue Whether the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (DABT) should take disciplinary action against respondent or its DABT license for the reasons alleged in the notice to show cause?
Findings Of Fact At all pertinent times, respondent 201 West, Inc. d/b/a Central City/Congo Craig's Safari, has held a quota license, No. 11-00259 4COP, authorizing it to sell alcoholic beverages at 201 West University Avenue, Gainesville, Florida. On August 23, 1991, Craig Cinque, respondent's sole shareholder and officer, executed on respondent's behalf a consent agreement which petitioner accepted and filed on September 6, 1991, resolving administrative proceedings then pending. The consent agreement provides: "The second and third floors now known as 'Congo Craig's' shall not admit customers under 21 years of age for a period of two years " Underaged Patrons Apprehended At eleven o'clock on a crowded Saturday night, September 7, 1991, five DABT officers entered Congo Craig's to check patrons' ages. DABT and other witnesses agreed that the bar had enough staff demanding proof from patrons of their ages as they entered, and that the lighting was adequate for this purpose. The DABT officers checked a number of already admitted patrons' "ID's" themselves, and found a false one that a 20-year-old woman, Amy L. Bruns, whom they saw drinking draft beer, had used to gain admission. The Maryland driver's license described a woman of its bearer's height and weight, but depicted a blonde, not the brunette the officers accosted. Petitioner's Exhibit No. 3. The next time DABT officers, again a contingent of five, discovered an under age patron at Congo Craig's was on October 12, 1991, another Saturday night when DABT and other witnesses agreed that the bar had enough staff checking patrons' ages as they entered, and that the lighting was adequate. Kim M. Chiappara, then 20 years and eight months old, was sharing a pitcher of draft beer with her older sister and others when she was interrogated by the DABT officers that night. A search of her person turned up no false identification. She was not asked whether she had used any, or borrowed her sister's identification, to get by the bouncers. The next Friday night DABT officers apprehended Dari A. Layne, who was born on October 27, 1972, at Congo Craig's shortly before midnight, as she was consuming a mixed drink. The "very good" counterfeit Pennsylvania driver's license she produced when asked for identification has her photograph, but lacks a holographic state stamp on the obverse and has a photocopied reverse, albeit duly laminated. After midnight on the same foray, DABT officers discovered Kim C. Stampler, three months and a week shy of her 21st birthday, holding a clear plastic cup containing a purple liquid. She denied having false identification, but a DABT officer's search turned some up. Also in the early hours of October 19, 1991, DABT officers arrested Christopher Wisniewski, an apparently intoxicated 16-year-old, whose father, also apparently intoxicated, only reluctantly admitted their relationship. Christopher, who was not asked what or whose identification, if any, he had used to get in, had a valid Florida driver's license on his person. Bar Tender Arrested The personnel that respondent assigned to check patrons identification as they entered did not take their stations until five o'clock evenings, an hour after opening. Aware of this, the DABT dispatched Randy Gordon (a stout, older- looking 19-year-old, who has succeeded two out of three times in efforts of this kind at some ten other establishments) to Congo Craig's. He readily gained admission between four and half past on the afternoon of November 8, 1991, without being asked for identification. The first customer of the evening, Randy asked Eric Frauman (who had agreed at the last minute to fill in for another bartender, and who ordinarily worked evenings when the bouncers, not the bartenders, are responsible for checking customers' identification) for a hamburger and a beer. Although he had been told to "card" everybody, Mr. Frauman neglected to ask young Mr. Gordon for identification. The second customer that evening was Ernest Wilson, the special DABT agent responsible for paying five dollars an hour for Mr. Gordon's services. Mr. Wilson took the beer, and Mr. Gordon, who paid for both, got the hamburger, which he described as very good. Mr. Frauman, a graduate student hoping to work as an educational counselor, was arrested and eventually prosecuted criminally. Precautions Taken Respondent is qualified as a responsible vendor, and was so certified during the time DABT made such certifications. All of the 18 employees respondent relies on for "security," those checking patrons' ages at night as well as the daytime bartenders and servers, are current with regard to the courses, tests and update meetings the responsible vendor program requires. Respondent's managers are current on requirements for managers. At weekly meetings of the managers, underage drinking was a regular topic. A book depicting driver's licenses in various jurisdictions is kept on the premises, and respondent's employees who testified seemed knowledgeable on the subject. Employees responsible for checking patrons' ages are told to require, at least of anybody who looks younger than 45, a driver's license, military identification or a passport. Several repeat customers testified that they had invariably been "carded." Although Congo Craig's can lawfully accommodate no more than 925 persons at any one time, the crowd "turns over" as the night wears on. From 35,000 to 45,000 patrons were on the premises between September 7, 1991, and November 18, 1991. During this period, DABT officers made several visits on which they failed to find a single patron under the age of 21. According to Kim Ehrich, who once worked at Congo Craig's, but now works elsewhere, Congo Craig's is probably the "strictest" bar in Gainesville, and does a more thorough job checking identification than the three other bars where she has worked in Gainesville. Willful Breach A week or so before the party at Congo Craig's on October 3, 1991, Charlotte Olsen, then social chairperson for the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority, told somebody at Congo Craig's that some of the party-goers would be under 21 years of age. She offered the sorority's wrist bands to demarcate those old enough to drink legally, but Congo Craig's used its own instead. Mr. Cinque was aware that underaged persons were expected to attend the party scheduled for the second and third floors, and decided to allow it, despite the consent agreement, in order to preserve "good will." About half of the 50 to 60 people at the party were under 21 years of age. He added staff, he testified, in an effort to stymie drinking by underaged attendees. This effort proved dramatically unsuccessful. Past Problems DABT established (in aggravation of penalty only) that respondent has a long history of problems of the kind proven in this case, dating to when respondent's father owned the establishment. When Mr. Cinque worked as a manager, before he became the owner, DABT issued some ten orders to show cause alleging beverage law violations, most of which respondent admitted. Since the younger Mr. Cinque assumed ownership, DABT has filed eight additional orders to show cause, the first seven of which were consolidated and disposed of by the consent agreement accepted by DABT on September 6, 1991.
Recommendation It is, accordingly, RECOMMENDED: That the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco suspend respondent's license for ten (10) days. DONE and ENTERED this 10th day of December, 1992, at Tallahassee, Florida. ROBERT T. BENTON, II 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 11th day of December 1992. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER Petitioner's proposed findings of fact Nos. 1-21, 24, 25, 28, 29, 31, 34- 46, 50, 53-56 and 58 have been adopted, in substance, insofar as material. With respect to petitioner's proposed findings of fact Nos. 22 and 23, it is not that easy to make out the eye color of the woman depicted on the license. With respect to petitioner's proposed finding of fact No. 26, Ms. Chiappara did not testify at hearing; it is not clear what sworn statement is meant. With respect to petitioner's proposed finding of fact No. 27, the evidence suggested that she used the counterfeit license to gain entry. With respect to petitioner's proposed findings of fact Nos. 30 and 33, the method of entry was not proven, but there was speculation. With respect to petitioner's proposed finding of fact No. 32, she was drinking a purple beverage. With respect to petitioner's proposed finding of fact No. 47, she so testified. Petitioner's proposed findings of fact Nos. 48, 49 and 59 are properly proposed conclusions of law. Petitioner's proposed findings of fact No. 51 and 52 have been rejected as not established by the weight of the evidence. With respect to petitioner's proposed finding of fact No. 57, the number of allegations is immaterial. Respondent's proposed findings of fact Nos. 1-10 and 14-17 have been adopted, in substance, insofar as material. With respect to respondent's proposed finding of fact No. 11, Mr. Frauman did not usually work the day shift. With respect to respondent's proposed finding of fact No. 12, time constraints do not account for the failure to honor the consent order. Respondent's proposed finding of fact No. 13 is properly a proposed conclusion of law. COPIES FURNISHED: Thomas A. Klein, Esquire 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1007 Sy Chadroff, Esquire 2700 S. W. 37th Avenue Miami, Florida 33133-2728 Donald D. Conn General Counsel The Johns Building 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1000 Richard W. Scully Director Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco The Johns Building 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1000
