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Charges of driving while intoxicated or under the influence can come back to haunt an alcohol sales license holder.
Thursday, past driving-under-the-influence arrests against three such license holders surfaced at the Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Commission meeting.
According to excise officer Patty Fleck, if a person has three such charges, they can no longer hold an alcohol license.
Nancy Sideris, of Mosaique Restaurant, Warsaw, faced a misdemeanor driving under the influence chage in 2002. It was a first-time charge.
Fleck said Sideris provided the ABC with her charge information and did not try to hide it.
"It doesn't look like she attempted to cover anything up," said Gordon Vanator, ABC member.
The board unanimously approved the renewal of Mosaique Restaurant's beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits. Vanator warned Sideris to be careful in the future so her alcohol licenses will not be taken away from her.
Due to one owner not providing information regarding his DUI charge from approximately two years ago, the ABC continued Hoggle's beer, wine and liquor retailer permit transfer of ownership request.
Troy W. Reith, co-owner of Hoggle's with Laura Kats, said he had a DUI two years ago this summer. Since then, he has chosen not to drive, and the charge was a misdemeanor.
Fleck told Reith he did not have that information on the paperwork, which could be considered a falsification of documents and a Class D felony. Reith said he was "unaware" the information needed to be on the application for the transfer. Until her investigation is complete, Fleck said she would postpone the transfer request. If there is any other false information on the application, she told Reith, she could charge him.
Kats said she has not been charged with any misdemeanors or felonies.
The beer, wine and liquor retailer permit renewal for Good Times Food & Spirits, Warsaw, which is now Hoggle's, was approved. However, Fleck said, the permits will be held in escrow until her investigation is complete.
The other person with a past charge was Lance Parker, who was requesting a transfer of ownership of beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits for The Silver Inn Tavern, Silver Lake.
Five years ago, Parker told the ABC, he was charged with driving while intoxicated. Someone turned in front of his vehicle and the two vehicles collided, resulting in injury to the other driver, but the other driver was treated and released from the hospital.
Vanator said he's known Parker for more than 20 years and while he was sure Parker had his "wild days," Vanator said, he's sure Parker is a "stable young man now." He did warn Parker to be careful about his customers, especially the young people.
The ABC unanimously approved the transfer of ownership.
Renewals approved by the ABC Thursday included:
• Dewart Lake Inn, Syracuse, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Barbee Landing, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• The Great Wall, Warsaw, beer and wine and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Stacy's Sports Inn, Leesburg, beer, wine and liquor retailer permit.
• Jimmy's Restaurant and Lounge, North Webster, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permit.
• Bistro A Lago, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Rex's Rendezvous, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer permits.
• Loyal Order of the Moose, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor retailer permit.
The ABC meets at 1 p.m. in the Kosciusko County Courthouse on the first Thursday of every month. Members of the board include Darwin Call, Gordon Vanator, Kenneth Johnson and excise officer Patty Fleck.
