Prince Frederick, MD – A relatively new Prince Frederick restaurant is off to a rocky start. On Thursday, Dec. 11 representatives from Plaza Azteca appeared before the Calvert County Liquor Board to answer concerns about security and operating hours.

Liquor Board Chair Beth Swoap noted local law enforcement has received at least seven calls for service related to altercations at the eatery, which is located on Sherry Drive. “That’s got to stop,” said Swoap.

The restaurant owners and police have surmised the unruly patrons may have been drawn by the musical entertainment that has been featured at the restaurant.
“If you are going to have entertainment that’s going to draw a rough crowd you have to have more security,” Swoap told Luis Rodriguez of Plaza Azteca.

“We are taking the proper measures,” said Rodriguez, who added he is hoping to hire off-duty police officers to work security at the restaurant. Rodriguez said entertainment at the restaurant will be discontinued until a revised security plan is put into effect.

Lieutenant Todd Ireland of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office told the board the law enforcement agency is working with the restaurant to develop a new security plan.

Another concern that came up during the session has been the restaurant’s recent practice of staying open until 2 a.m. There was a disagreement between Rodriguez and the liquor board members about whether the business’ license allows for this.

Swoap affirmed that the business was supposed to close at midnight. Rodriquez indicated he was certain the terms of the license allowed operation until 2 a.m.

“Technically, you were operating improperly for five or six months,” said Calvert Liquor Board Member Malcolm Funn, who added he thought a penalty should be imposed. Funn initially motioned to impose a three-month license suspension, with the suspension held in abeyance until a new security plan was implemented. Then the restaurant would be under three-month probation.

At Swoap’s suggestion, the penalty was amended to a 30-day suspension, to be held in abeyance, with a $500 fine. The three-member panel voted unanimously to impose the modified penalty.

When asked if he could get a security plan in place before the end of the year, Rodriguez replied, “most definitely.” 

On another matter, the board decided to take no action regarding the request for the transfer of a Class A off sale license for Lusby Liquors. The new owner, Long Zhang, currently resides in Lutherville. The individual who was designated to serve as his local agent until which time Zhang could move to the county, allegedly falsified the application by claiming he (the designated local agent) had never been arrested.

However, in Dec. 2012 the designated agent was arrested in Calvert County. Court documents show he was charged with two counts each of extortion less than $500, false imprisonment and theft; and one count of second-degree assault. The case is currently inactive and on the court’s STET docket. The charges could be reactivated but are also eligible to be expunged from the individual’s record.

“The state would have to show a compelling reason to bring the charges back up,” said David Weigel, the attorney representing Zhang at the meeting. “I understand the concerns raised by the background application.”

“We’re in a quandary,” said Funn.

“We can’t do the approval until he [Zhang] is a resident,” said Swoap.

The Calvert Liquor Board did grant approval for a Class B on-sale license to Gertrude Maringo, who will be operating a Ledo Pizza restaurant in Chesapeake Beach. Maringo has prior experience in the restaurant business. She said the new Ledo location should be open in early January.

At the conclusion of the meeting it was announced Ireland was turning over the board liaison role to F/Sgt. Matt McDonough, who had most recently served as commander of the sheriff’s office unit in the Twin Beaches area.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com