Governor Cuomo Announces Suspension of 14 Additional New York Bars and Restaurants' Liquor Licenses
162 Businesses' Liquor Licenses Have Been Suspended During Public Health Emergency
Multi-Agency Task Force Conducted Nearly 4,000 Compliance Checks since this Weekend, Observing 34 Additional Violations in New York City and on Long Island
886 Charges Have Been Filed and Processed To Date; Updated List of Suspensions and Charges Available Here
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo yesterday announced the state has suspended liquor licenses for 14 additional bars and restaurants in New York State after finding egregious violations of pandemic-related Executive Orders, bringing the total number of liquor licenses suspended during the coronavirus pandemic to 162. Over the weekend, the state's multi-agency task force -- led by the State Police and State Liquor Authority -- conducted 3,964 compliance checks, documenting violations at 34 establishments. Businesses found in violation of COVID-19 regulations face fines up to $10,000 per violation, while egregious violations can result in the immediate suspension of a bar or restaurant's liquor license.
"Over the last five months, New Yorkers have made great sacrifices to bend the curve, and today's record-low infection rate shows that when we listen to science and take this virus seriously, we can make a difference. But too many bars and restaurants are still flouting rules in place to stop the spread and local governments need to step up -- so we've beefed up enforcement with the state police and liquor authority to hold bad actors accountable,"
Governor Cuomo said.
"Now is not the time to lose sight of our goal, and if compliance slips, all of the progress we've made over the last five months could be undermined. These establishments put the health of their staff, their patrons, and all New Yorkers at risk -- and their actions are simply unacceptable."
State Liquor Authority Chair Vincent Bradley said,
"We are seeing better compliance as a direct result of the hard work and time the task force is putting in, but there are still bad apples out there that need to be held accountable. As we head into the last couple weekends of summer, licensees need to continue to be vigilant and put the health and safety of New Yorkers on the top of their priority lists."
The 14 establishments issued emergency orders of summary suspension from the State Liquor Authority Board are located in New York City, the Capital Region and on Long Island. In New York City, the geographical breakdown is:
Brooklyn - 7
Manhattan - 1
Queens - 3
Outside of New York City the geographical breakdown is:
Albany - 1
Schenectady - 1
Suffolk - 1
The emergency suspensions were ordered by Chairman Bradley, Commissioner Lily Fan and Commissioner Greeley Ford at special meetings of the Full Board on August 19th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, conducted by a digitally recorded video under social distancing guidelines. Emergency Summary Suspensions are imposed when the SLA finds the continued operation of a licensed business threatens public health and safety. Suspension orders are served immediately and remain in effect indefinitely, with the maximum penalty including the permanent revocation of the license and fines of up to $10,000 per violation. Licensees subject to an emergency suspension are entitled to an expedited hearing before an SLA Administrative Law Judge.
The 14 bars suspended are listed here, along with information on their violations and the date of their suspensions.
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