The Issue This matter arises out of the denial or rejection of a filing by the Liberty Bank of Cantonment with the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco for the purpose of perfecting a lien against a beverage license pursuant to Section 561.65, Florida Statutes. Mr. Charles L. Hoffman, attorney for Liberty Bank of Cantonment, testified on behalf of the Petitioner. The Petitioner offered two exhibits into evidence and both were accepted without objection. The Respondent presented no evidence on its behalf. Neither party filed proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. However, the Petitioner filed a Memorandum of Law in support of its legal argument as to why it should be granted a lien against Beverage License No. 27- 426. To the extent that the legal conclusions presented in that memorandum of law and the facts stated are not adopted in this order, they are considered to be irrelevant to the issues in this cause or not supported by the facts or the law.
Findings Of Fact On July 10, 1981, The Rafters, Inc. executed a security agreement in favor of the Liberty Bank of Cantonment. That security agreement is a part of Petitioner's Exhibit 1 and included a security interest in State Liquor License No. 27-426 issued in the name of The Rafters, Inc. On July 24, 1981, the necessary U.C.C. documents were filed in order to permit the Liberty Bank of Cantonment to file the proper documents with the Secretary of State. No documents were filed with the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. On September 20, 1982, the Petitioner first filed the necessary documentation with the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco for the purpose of perfecting a lien pursuant to Section 561.65, Florida Statutes. The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco rejected the filing on the grounds that it was filed beyond the 90-day period provided in Section 561.65(4), Florida Statutes. On October 19, 1982, The Rafters, Inc. filed its answer to an amended complaint in foreclosure which had been filed by the Liberty Bank of Cantonment against the property set forth in the aforementioned security agreement. In its answer, The Rafters, Inc. admitted all allegations of the amended complaint.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is hereby RECOMMENDED: That the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco enter a Final Order rejecting the application for a lien filed by the Petitioner to perfect a security interest in Beverage License No. 27-426. DONE and ORDERED this 20th day of April, 1983, in Tallahassee, Florida. MARVIN E. CHAVIS, 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 20th day of April, 1983. COPIES FURNISHED: Charles L. Hoffman, Jr., Esquire Seventh Floor, Seville Tower 226 South Palafox Street Post Office Box 1831 Pensacola, Florida 32598 Harold F.X. Purnell, Esquire William A. Hatch, Esquire General Counsel Department of Business Regulation Dept. of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Howard M. Rasmussen, Director Gary Rutledge, Secretary Division of Alcoholic Beverages Dept. of Business Regulation and Tobacco The Johns Building 725 South Bronough Street 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue Whether petitioner's application for transfer of an alcoholic beverage license should be granted, or denied on the ground that there is a pending disciplinary action against the license holder.
Findings Of Fact Timeliness of DABT's Denial of Application for Transfer On May 26, 1981, petitioner filed with DABT's Miami office an application for transfer of alcoholic beverage license No. 23-276, Series 4-COP. (Testimony of Harris, Caram; Ex. 1.) Upon discovering that the fingerprints of Richard J. Mandell, chief corporate officer of petitioner, were not on file and did not accompany the application, DABT notified Mr. Mandell, no later than June 24, 1981, that his fingerprints would be required. 2/ (Testimony of Harris, Caram.) In response, Mr. Mandell furnished the requested fingerprints to DABT on June 24, 1981. At that time, DABT treated the license application as complete. (Testimony of Harris, Caram.) By letter dated September 22, 1981, DABT notified petitioner that its application was disapproved because of a pending administrative case against the license. (Ex. 2A.) II. Denial of Petitioner's Application When petitioner filed its application for transfer of the alcoholic beverage license in question, administrative proceedings to revoke or suspend the license had been instituted and were pending against the licensee, Astral Liquors, Inc., d/b/a "Foxxy Laidy," a bar and lounge. (Prehearing Stipulation.) These disciplinary proceedings were instituted because of the conviction of Eugene Willner--Astral Liquors, Inc.`s sole stockholder--of a federal felony unrelated to operation of the Foxxy Laidy bar and lounge. (Testimony of Willner.) By written contract dated April 10, 1981, petitioner agreed to purchase from Astral Liquors, Inc., the Foxxy Laidy, located at 6507 Southwest 40th Street, Miami, Florida, for $175,000. Closing was contingent upon DABT approving transfer of the alcoholic license to petitioner. (Ex. 3.) DABT disapproved petitioner's application to transfer the license solely on the ground that there were pending proceedings against the license holder. DABT does not question whether the sale of Foxxy Laidy to petitioner is a bone fide, arms-length transaction or the qualifications of petitioner to hold an alcoholic beverage license. (Testimony of Harris; Ex. 2A, Ex. 8, Ex. 9.) DABT presented no evidence in support of denying petitioner's application other than there were pending administrative proceedings against the licensee. It did not explain or offer any reasons why, in this case, it should exercise its discretion by denying petitioner's application. To the extent its decision rests on non-rule policy considerations, it did not explicate them or subject them to scrutiny at hearing.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing, it is RECOMMENDED: That the application for transfer of alcoholic beverage license No. 23-276, Series 4-COP, be granted. DONE AND RECOMMENDED this 9th day of June, 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 9th day of June, 1982.
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 Based on the evidence presented at hearing, the following facts are determined: At all times material to the charges, Ronald Wayne Diamond and Susan Joyce Saiia owned and operated a partnership trading as Susan's Las Olas Seafood Market at 1404 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida ("the licensed premises") On the licensed premises, they sold alcoholic beverages under the authority of alcoholic beverage license No. 16-3029, Series 2-APS. On January 17 or 18, 1982,and on January 19, 1982, Broward County Sheriff's Department Detective Fernandez entered the licensed premises in an undercover capacity and negotiated with Respondent Ronald Diamond for the sale and delivery of cocaine and cannabis. Respondent Susan Saiia was present and aware of these negotiations, although she did not actively participate in them. On one of these occasions, she warned Respondent Diamond to be careful, that she had seen someone in the back alley who looked like he was wearing a recording device. On January 20, 1982, Respondent Diamond was arrested on charges of unlawful trafficking in cocaine and possessing cannabis in violation of Sections 893.135(1)(b) and 893.13(1)(e), Florida Statutes. He was taken to the licensed premises where a search warrant was executed and two ounces of marijuana were found in an office file cabinet. (Petitioner's Exhibit No. 2) On May 6, 1982, the Circuit Court of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, adjudging Respondent Diamond guilty of these felonies, sentenced him to fifteen years in prison and fined him $250,000 for trafficking in cocaine. He was sentenced to an additional five years for the possession of cannabis. (Petitioner's Exhibit No. 3)
Recommendation Based on the foregoing, it is RECOMMENDED: That Respondents' alcoholic beverage license No. 16-3029, Series 2-APS, be revoked for multiple violations of the Beverage Law. DONE and ORDERED this 12th day of July, 1983, 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 12th day of July, 1983. COPIES FURNISHED: John A. Hoggs, Esquire Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Maurice Graham, Esquire Suite 2 2161 E. Commercial Blvd. Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33308 Howard M. Rasmussen Director Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Gary R. Rutledge Secretary 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 whether the application should be denied for the reasons set forth in the Division's letter to Petitioner dated July 25, 1984. The subject letter included the following: The above-captioned license application has been disapproved on this date for the following reason(s): Applicant not believed to be of good moral character. Also, applicant has been convicted in the last past fifteen (15) years of a felony, the subject matter of which relates to the specific license being sought. Applicant has falsely sworn to a material statement. At the hearing the Respondent offered nine exhibits into evidence. Eight of the exhibits were received in evidence without objection. The ninth exhibit was rejected. The Respondent did not call any witnesses of its own, but did cross examine the witnesses called by the Petitioner. The Petitioner did not offer any exhibits, but did present the testimony of the following witnesses: Robin Lewis, William Bryson, Alvin Robbins, Robert Pepper, Frank Rubio, and Donald Lewis. Subsequent to the hearing the parties both filed late posthearing submissions to the Hearing Officer. 1/ The Petitioner filed a Memorandum of Law, a Suggested Order, and Proposed Findings of Fact. The Respondent filed a Proposed Recommended Order. Their tardiness notwithstanding, the Hearing Officer has given careful consideration to the post-hearing submissions of the parties in the formulation of this Recommended Order. 2/ To the extent that findings of fact proposed by the parties have not been included in the findings of fact which follow, the proposed findings not included have been rejected for one or more of the following reasons: they are irrelevant or immaterial to the disposition of the case, they are cumulative or repetitious, they are not supported by competent substantial evidence, and/or they are contrary to the greater weight of the evidence.
Findings Of Fact Based on the exhibits admitted into evidence and on the testimony of the witnesses who were called at the hearing, I make the following findings of fact: The application which is the subject of this case was filed by OWL Enterprises, Inc., a corporation. Donald W. Lewis is the President, Secretary, and Treasurer of DWL Enterprises, Inc., and owns 1OO of the stock of the corporation. Thus, it is the moral character, criminal record, and conduct of Donald W. Lewis which is at issue in this case. Beginning with his high school years, on through his college years, and at least up until the time of his imprisonment in August of 1979, Donald W. Lewis was a person of poor moral character. During that period of time he drank a lot of alcoholic beverages and also became involved with various illegal drugs. The following is a summary of his criminal record prior to his 1979 imprisonment: April 1968. Arrested for petty larceny, plead guilty, fined $100.00. June 5, 1969. Arrested for petty larceny. June 28, 1974. Arrested for DWI. June 28, 1974. Arrested for pos- session of 20.5 grams of marijuana, prosecution deferred. December 5, 1975. Arrested for aggravated assault and battery, charges dropped. June 18, 1976. Information issued charging conspiracy to deliver or possess cocaine. June 18, 1976. Information issued charging delivery of cocaine. January 28, 1977. Convicted for conspiracy to deliver or possess cocaine. January 28, 1977. Convicted for delivery of cocaine. July 30, 1977. Arrested for DWI. October 28, 1977. Arrested for delivery of cocaine. October 28, 4977. Arrested for possession of cocaine. October 28, 1977. Arrested for felony possession of marijuana. October 28, 1977. Arrested for possession of qualudes. July 30, 1979. Convicted of conspiracy to deliver or possess with intent to deliver cocaine. Sentenced to two years imprisonment July 30, 1979. Probation revoked and sentenced to two years for prior conviction. August 31, 1979, to September 2, 1981. Served prison term. Since his release from prison Donald W. Lewis has not been arrested for or convicted of any offense other than one traffic citation for speeding. When Donald W. Lewis filed the subject application in May of 1984, he was required, among other things, to answer the following questions printed on the application form: Have you ever been: Arrested or charged for a violation of a felony law or misdemeanor law of this State, or any other state or of the United States? * * * 6. Have any arrests or charges that may have been made, ever resulted in a conviction against you? * * * If the answer to any of these questions is YES, list aliases and give full disclosure of charges, dates, arresting agencies & places of arrest. (attach extra sheets if necessary). In response to the questions quoted immediately above Donald W. Lewis provided some information about his arrests and convictions and `attached some documents which provided further information about his arrests and convictions, but he did not make a full disclosure. In particular, he did not disclose the following: June 28, 1974. Arrested for DWI. December 5, 1974. Arrested for aggra- vated assault and battery. July 3O, 1977. Arrested for DWI. October 28, 1977. Arrested for felony possession of marijuana. October 28, 1977. Arrested for possession of qualudes. On his 1984 application, Donald W. Lewis also failed to disclose two arrests which he had disclosed on an earlier application filed in 1975. The two arrests disclosed in 1975, but not in 1984 are: April 1968. Arrested for petty larceny, plead guilty, fined $100.00. June 28, 1974. Arrested for possession of 20.5 grams of marijuana, prosecution deferred. Donald W. Lewis has offered several excuses for his failure to make a full disclosure of his arrest and conviction history when he prepared his 1984 application, but none of the excuses are persuasive. Donald W. Lewis falsely swore to material statements in his 1984 application because his answers to questions concerning his arrest and conviction history were woefully incomplete. When Donald W. Lewis was released from prison in September of 1981 he went to live with his father. He had no regular employment from September of 1981 until November of 1983, although during that period he helped his father build an addition on his father's house. About six months ago Donald W. Lewis married into a socially prominent family and he and his wife have been living at her parent's home. Since November of 1983, Donald W. Lewis and his wife have worked hard to start their new business for which they are seeking an alcoholic beverage license. Donald W. Lewis has impressed his business landlords as being a hard worker and a dependable person. His business landlords and several of his old friends believe that Donald W. Lewis has turned over a new leaf and is now a dependable person of good moral character . 4/
Recommendation For the reasons explained above, the Petitioner's application is subject to denial for each of the reasons set forth in the Respondent's letter of July 25, 1984. Accordingly, I recommend that a Final Order be entered which would deny the Petitioner's application. DONE and ORDERED this 5th day of December, 1984, at Tallahassee, Florida. MICHAEL M. PARRISH Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9673 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 5th day of December, 1984.
The Issue By notice to show cause, petitioner charged that respondent, individually or through the acts of its agent/employee, violated the provisions of Section 562.11(1)(a), Florida Statutes, by selling an alcoholic beverage on its licensed premises to a person under the age of 21. Respondent requested a formal hearing on the charges, and the matter was referred to the Division of Administrative Hearings. At the hearing, petitioner called three witnesses and offered three exhibits which were admitted into evidence. Respondent testified on his own behalf and offered no exhibits. A transcript of the hearing was not ordered, and the parties were granted leave until August 21, 1989 to file proposed findings of fact. Petitioner timely filed proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. A ruling on each of petitioner's proposed findings of fact has been made and is reflected in the Appendix to this recommended order. On August 24, 1989, respondent filed a letter which is here deemed to be his proposed findings of fact; however, his filing was untimely.
Findings Of Fact At all times material hereto, respondent, Coast Line Petroleum, Inc. d/b/a Toms Texaco, held an alcoholic beverage license number 60-04813, series 2- APS for the premises known as Toms Texaco in Lantana, Florida at 401 N. Dixie Highway. Mr. Thomas Przybylski is the President of respondent and appeared on behalf of the licensee. On or around April 4, 1989, petitioner's investigator conducted an investigation of respondent's licensed premises to determine if respondent was selling alcoholic beverages to underaged persons. The investigation was prompted by complaints received by petitioner from the Lantana Police Department. Petitioner's practice in making such investigations was to employ an underaged person and send the underaged person onto the licensed premises to purchase an alcoholic beverage. The underaged person was instructed not to carry any form of identification and to respond truthfully if asked his age or for identification. Julio A. More was employed by petitioner as an Investigative Aide. On April 4, 1989, following petitioner's instructions, Mr. More, who was eighteen at the time and appeared to be no older than his age, entered the licensed premises at issue. It was a busy afternoon at Toms Texaco. Mr. More picked a beer out of the inventory and attempted to purchase it from Mr. Przybylski, who was working that afternoon. Mr. Przybylski asked Mr. More if he had any identification to which Mr. More replied that he had none. Mr. Przybylski then sold Mr. More the beer. Petitioner's investigator witnessed the sale and confiscated the tendered beer. Mr. Przybylski as an employee and officer of respondent sold an alcoholic beverage to an individual who was eighteen at the time of the sale. Accordingly, respondent is guilty of selling an alcoholic beverage to a person under 21 years of age. The proof demonstrated that petitioner has promulgated disciplinary guidelines for offenses similar to the one at issue; and that the appropriate penalty in this case would be the imposition of a fine of $1,000 and twenty-day suspension of the license.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that a final order be entered imposing on respondent an administrative fine of $1,000 and suspending respondent's license for a period of twenty days. DONE AND ENTERED in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, this 7th day of September 1989. JANE C. HAYMAN 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 7th day of September 1989. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER IN CASE NO.89-3006 Petitioner's proposed findings of fact are addressed as follows: Addressed in paragraph 1. Addressed in paragraph 2. Addressed in paragraph 4. Addressed in paragraphs 3 and 4. Addressed in paragraph 4. Irrelevant. Adopted in paragraph 5. COPIES FURNISHED: Harry Hooper, Esquire Department of Business Regulation The Johns Building 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1007 Thomas John Przybylski, Jr. Coast Line Petroleum, Inc. 10670 Cypress Bend Drive Boca Raton, Florida 33498 Lt. Debbie Pfitzenmaier Elisha Newton Dimick Building 111 Georgia Avenue, Room 207 West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 Thomas A. Klein, Esquire Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1007 Leonard Ivey Director The Johns Building 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1000 Joseph A. Sole General Counsel 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1000
Findings Of Fact Respondent, Allen McGhee and Latarra Hargarett, d/b/a A Touch of Class, is licensee of a facility located at 208 South Paramore Avenue, Orlando, Florida. The alcoholic beverage license #58-02721, 2COP series, was most recently renewed for the period October 1, 1991 through September 30, 1992. Allen McGhee did not appear at the hearing and is apparently in custody as a result of the activities that are the subject of this license discipline proceeding. Latarra Hargarett, a/k/a/ Gibbs, is the current sole lessee of the premises at 208 South Paramore Avenue. She has also contracted to purchase Allen McGhee's share of A Touch of Class nightclub, and has commenced payment pursuant to the contract. The parties have agreed to resolution of this proceeding as follows: The current license is revoked, and $3,000.00 civil penalty and $1,500.00 investigative costs are imposed. This license discipline is without prejudice to Latarra Gibbs' right to file an application for a beverage license in her own name at the 208 South Paramore Avenue location.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing, it is hereby, recommended that the agency enter its Final Order reflecting the parties' stipulated disposition as stated herein. RECOMMENDED this 31st day of October, 1991, in Tallahassee, Florida. MARY CLARK 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 31st day of October, 1991. COPIES FURNISHED: Nancy Waller, Esquire Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1007 Joerg F. Jaeger, Esquire Katz, Jaeger & Blankner 217 E. Ivanhoe Blvd., North Orlando, FL 32804 Richard W. Scully, Director Department of Business Regulation 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 At issue in this proceeding is whether Respondent committed the offense set forth in the Administrative Action and, if so, what penalty should be imposed.
Findings Of Fact At all times material hereto, Respondent, Suamy Corporation, held license number 23-21872, series 2APS, authorizing it to operate a beer and wine package store (the sale of beer and wine for off-premises consumption) at the premises of a business known as Bristol Sundries, located at 2127 Brickell Avenue, Miami, Florida (hereinafter "the licensed premises").2 Milagros Suarez was the sole shareholder, as well as the sole corporate officer, of the Respondent corporation. On February 11, 1997, Leonard DelMonte, a special agent with the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, undertook an inspection of the licensed premises. Upon entry into the premises, the agent observed shelves on his left that contained bottles of liquor on display, and behind the counter he observed more shelving, which contained more bottles of liquor on display, together with bottles of wine. A cash register was observed on the counter, and an employee was present to attend the needs of customers. The agent inspected, inventoried, and seized 19 bottles of distilled spirits (Petitioner's Exhibits 2-1 through 2-19) on the licensed premises. (Petitioner's Exhibit 1). The bottles were all sealed; labeled as distilled spirits, such as rum, scotch, gin, and vodka; and carried the name, trademark, or insignia of commonly known manufacturers of distilled spirits, such as Johnny Walker, Cuervo, Pinch, and Bombay. The bottles also had affixed to them price stickers, of the same type affixed to the wine that was offered for sale, and contained prices that were consistent with the retail price of the product. Given the facts, it is apparent that Respondent was offering the distilled spirits for sale on the licensed premises.3
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that a Final Order be entered finding Respondent guilty of the charge set forth in the Administrative Action and imposing a civil penalty of $1,000 for such violation, subject to Respondent's option to substitute a period of suspension in lieu of all or a portion of the civil penalty. DONE AND ENTERED this 27th day of January, 1998, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. WILLIAM J. KENDRICK 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 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 27th day of January, 1998.
The Issue The issue is whether, pursuant to section 561.32(1)(a) and (b), Florida Statutes, Respondent is required to approve the transfer of alcoholic beverage license to Petitioner after its purported purchase of the license at a sheriff's sale.
Findings Of Fact Prior to the events set forth below, La Cidra Corporation (La Cidra) owned the License. As issued by Respondent, the License authorized La Cidra to sell alcoholic beverages at a bar known as L'Boulevard Café Supper Club,2 which was located in leased premises at 3632-34 Northwest 25th Avenue in Miami (Premises). On October 28, 2013, Steven Beltre (Beltre) obtained a final judgment in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court in the amount of about $3.4 million against La Cidra, doing business as L'Boulevard Cafe Supperclub. Respondent has adopted a form, DBPR ABT-6022, for persons to record liens against alcoholic beverage licenses. However, at no material time did anyone record with Respondent a lien against the License in connection with the Beltre judgment. The record does not disclose when La Cidra ceased operating the bar. However, on January 21, 2014, Intervenor registered "L'Boulevard Café Supperclub" as a fictitious name, and Intervenor and La Cidra signed an "Application for Transfer of Ownership of an Alcoholic Beverage License" concerning the License. On February 13, 2014, Intervenor purchased from La Cidra all of its assets, including the License. At closing, La Cidra assigned the Premises lease by an assignment that was signed by La Cidra, Intervenor, and the lessor. The assignment acknowledges that Intervenor has paid the lessor a security deposit of $10,000. A closing statement reflects a purchase price of $100,000, which is represented by a $15,000 deposit and $85,000 promissory note. On February 20, Intervenor filed with Respondent the application described in the preceding paragraph, and Respondent, on the same date, issued to Intervenor a temporary license based on the License. Five days after the closing described in the preceding paragraph, on February 18, 2014, the Clerk of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court issued a Writ of Execution directing all sheriffs in the state of Florida "to levy upon property subject to execution of . . . La Cidra . . . to satisfy the sum of [approximately $3.4 million]." The Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office levied upon property on March 8, 2014--23 days after the closing of the conveyance of the License from La Cidra to Intervenor. The seized property included alcoholic beverages, bar equipment, computers, televisions, phones, stage lights, radios, smoke machines, and shop equipment, as well as the following intangible personal property: a certificate evidencing La Cidra as the licensee under the License, an $85,000 "secured" promissory note that is not further identified, and currency totaling $17,206 in denominations as large as $100 bills. After the seizure, the sheriff advertised the sale of the property by auction on April 30. The list of property to be sold included the License, but not the promissory note or cash, whose disposition is undisclosed in the record. On April 30, 2014--over two months after the La Cidra/Intervenor conveyance--the sheriff executed a Sheriff's Bill of Sale transferring all "right, title and interest" of La Cidra to all of the advertised property to Respondent for the sum of $2000 plus $140 sales tax, which represented the highest bid at the sheriff's sale. Immediately after the sheriff's levy, in March, Respondent was contacted by various parties, including the sheriff's office, which provided Respondent with a copy of the writ of execution and list of seized property.3 On April 7, 2014, Respondent received a letter from Daniel W. Courtney, an attorney whose cover letter states that he represents Intervenor. The letter recites that Respondent properly had issued a temporary license to Intervenor, but later had withheld the issuance of the permanent License to Intervenor due to its receipt of information from the sheriff concerning the purported seizure of the License. The letter asserts that this was an improper seizure because the License was not the property of La Cidra at the time of the seizure and requests that Respondent issue the permanent License to Intervenor without delay. Unmoved by Mr. Courtney's letter, on June 4, 2014, Respondent issued a Notice of Intent to Deny License to Intervenor. The notice cites the writ of execution issued on February 18 and reasons that "neither the putative transferor nor putative transferee possess[es] title for the transfer of the [License]." This reasoning does not account for the simple chronology of events in which the La Cidra/Intervenor conveyance preceded the sheriff's levy and sale. On June 14, 2014, Intervenor requested an administrative hearing on the proposed denial. By Order of Dismissal entered April 30, 2015, Respondent acknowledged that its failure for more than 90 days to issue a decision on Intervenor's transfer application for a permanent License required Respondent to deem that the application had been approved, pursuant to section 120.60(1).4 The Order of Dismissal rescinds, without prejudice, the Notice of Intent to Deny License issued on June 4, 2014, and notes that Respondent approved the transfer of the permanent License to Intervenor on January 30, 2015.5 At about the time that it requested an administrative hearing on Respondent's earlier denial of its transfer application for a permanent License, Intervenor commenced judicial proceedings to obtain relief from Petitioner's claims arising out of the sheriff's sale. Intervenor sought to intervene in supplemental proceedings pertaining to the underlying tort action between Beltre and La Cidra. Intervenor also commenced a legal action against Beltre. The trial court denied the motion to intervene without prejudice, pending resolution of the separate action against Beltre. Intervenor appealed this order, but the appellate court affirmed the trial court on June 3, 2015. On October 6, 2015, the trial court dismissed Intervenor's action against Beltre for lack of prosecution. At the same time that Intervenor was pursuing judicial and administrative relief, on June 6, 2014, Petitioner filed a transfer application for Respondent's approval of the transfer of the License to Petitioner. The page for the signature of the transferor is blank, but Petitioner attached to the application a copy of the above-described Sheriff's Bill of Sale. On July 9, 2014, Respondent issued the above-described Notice of Intent to Deny License to Petitioner that cites Intervenor's documentation of the La Cidra/Intervenor conveyance as the ground for the denial. The evidentiary record omits any evidence of the fair market value of the License and, more importantly, as noted by Respondent in its proposed recommended order, the fact that, on November 13, 2013, Beltre filed with the Department of State a judgment lien certificate.
Recommendation It is RECOMMENDED that Respondent deny the application of Petitioner for a statutory transfer of the License. DONE AND ENTERED this 31st day of May, 2016, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S ROBERT E. MEALE Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 31st day of May, 2016.
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
