La Plata, MD – The old expression of “fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me” might be best applied to Buddy’s Liquor on Indian Head Highway, which was slapped with two show cause orders inside of a year.
License holder Jagdeep Singh of Indian Corporation, t/a Buddy’s Liquors, 4611 Indian Head Highway, Indian Head, appeared before the Charles County Board of License Commissioners [Liquor Board] Thursday, June 8, and it wasn’t pretty. The business still had three days held in abeyance from its last violation in August of 2016.
Master Cpl. Judith Thompson of Alcohol Enforcement said the store’s clerk, Thomas Crusack, did not have alcohol awareness training and sold a Bud Light Lime to an underage cadet Feb. 27 of this year.
Singh’s attorney, David Martinez, told the board Crusack was scheduled to take the training but had a family emergency and then a medical issue.
“He has taken the training since the incident,” Martinez said.
Thompson noted that Crusack did ask the cadet what her birthday was and was told “7-29-97,” which would have made her 19 years old at the time of the offense. He did not ask to see her driver’s license.
“You didn’t fire him after this event?” Liquor Board Member Thomasina Coates asked Singh.
“Up to that point he had never made another mistake,” Singh replied.
“He took a moment to ask for her age, why didn’t he check the ID?” Liquor Board Chair Pamela Smith asked. “I don’t care whose feelings are hurt, that is your job as a licensee. You couldn’t find time to get him licensed? Certified? Give him the day off if you have to, he’s your front line, and that is why you are here. You have a job to do as a licensee. Do your job. How many more did he possibly serve? I guarantee it’s not the first.
“You have to sit here and listen to me because you keep letting it slide,” she admonished.
“He should have been certified or he shouldn’t have been serving,” Coates agreed.
“One time is all it takes,” Smith added. “If it keeps on, you’re going to be out of a license. You’re going down that road on fire.”
Martinez argued that his client had taken steps since the incident and would face an impact of $1,800 a day should the business be forced to close, but Liquor Board Member Guy Black said the board needed to send a clear message that repeat violations merit stiff punishment.
“I think the board recognizes that Mr. Singh has attempted to do some things to correct the problems, but the board also realizes he’s back here in less than a year,” Black said. “With three days hanging over your head, no one should have been doing anything questionable.”
Black suggested a $2,000 fine, closing the business to alcohol sales for four days with another two days held in abeyance. He also suggested fining the server $200. The motion was seconded by Coates and passed unanimously.
The store was ordered to close Monday, June 19 and would be allowed to reopen June 23.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com