Emergency license suspension issued for Wapato’s Martinez Sports Bar

OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) Tuesday issued an emergency liquor license suspension of up to 180 days for Martinez Sports Bar, located at 116 West 2nd Street in Wapato, Wash. The suspension is effective for 180 days beginning April 7, 2015 until Oct. 4, 2015. During that time the WSLCB will seek permanent revocation of the license.

“Emergency suspensions represent an extraordinary exercise of the state’s power because it suspends liquor sales without due process,” said Board Chair Jane Rushford. “The Board reserves this authority only for the most serious cases.”

The emergency suspension is the result of repeated misconduct on the licensed premises as evidenced by the accumulation of three public safety Administrative Violation Notices (AVNs) within two years. In addition to the current violations, the Board revoked the license of Martinez Sports Bar on January 13, 2015. The licensee has appealed to Yakima County Superior Court where it is currently pending. The January 13, 2015 order stems from violations in 2013, for which the bar also served a previous 180 day emergency suspension. The alleged current violations include:

Administrative Violation Notices

  • AVN #4A5078A –Violation of WAC 314-11-050 (lewd conduct) and WAC 314-11-015(2) (conduct of a licensee). The AVN alleges that on or about March 12, 2015, the licensee or an employee assaulted a patron inside the premises. In a separate incident, on or about March 13, 2015 the licensee or an employee assaulted an employee and/or engaged in lewd conduct on the licensed premises.
     
  • AVN #4F5052A – Violations of RCW 66-44-270(1) regarding minors. The AVN alleges that on or about February 14, 2015 the licensee or an employee served alcohol to person under the age of 21. The minor was later arrested for driving under the influence by the Washington State Patrol with a blood alcohol content of 0.203.
     
  • AVN #4E4194A – Violation of WAC 314-16-150 regarding apparently intoxicated patrons. The AVN alleges that on or about July 13, 2014 the licensee or an employee allowed an intoxicated individual to continue to consume alcohol and remain on the licensed premises.

The WSLCB is authorized by state law to issue an emergency suspension of up to 180 days of a liquor license when it believes the “health, safety or welfare” of the general public is in danger. The WSLCB has issued no other emergency suspensions in 2015. One emergency suspension was issued in 2014.

Supporting Documents
Supporting documents are available here.

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