NEW YORK – The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) summarily suspended the license of Go West Entertainment Inc. at 533 535 West 27th Street, doing business as Scores West. The suspension was ordered by the Members of the State Liquor Authority, Chairman Daniel B. Boyle, Commissioner Lawrence J. Gedda, and Commissioner Noreen Healey at the Full Board meeting on Wednesday, February 21, 2007.
On January 24th and 25th the New York City Police Department’s Manhattan Vice Enforcement Squad conducted an undercover operation at Scores West. During the operation, NYPD Vice agents were offered sex for money by female entertainers working inside the club. The NYPD arrested six Scores West employees, including four females charged with prostitution along with two managers on duty at the time, both males, who were charged with permitting prostitution.
The NYPD referred the matter to the SLA’s Rapid Enforcement Unit (REU) for investigation. The SLA subsequently brought charges against the bar for permitting prostitution and for failure to provide adequate supervision of the premises. These charges and the results of the investigation were forwarded to the Members of the Authority. Determining the club posed an immediate and imminent threat to the public, the Members voted unanimously to summarily suspend the license. Effectively immediately, no alcohol may be served or consumed on the premises.
“Club owners have a responsibility to the communities in which they operate to follow the law,” State Liquor Authority Chief Executive Officer, Joshua B. Toas said. “The Members of the State Liquor Authority have shown again that illegal behavior will not be tolerated.”
The State Administrative Procedure Act authorizes a State agency to summarily suspend a license when the agency finds that public health, safety, or welfare imperatively requires emergency action. When the SLA summarily suspends a liquor license, it also serves upon the licensee a Notice of Pleading alleging one or more disciplinary violations. In invoking a summary suspension, the SLA has deemed the violation(s), considering each licensee’s disciplinary history, to be sufficiently serious upon initial review to warrant an immediate suspension.
The SLA’s decision to summarily suspend a license is not a final determination on the merits of the case. The licensee is entitled to an expedited hearing before an administrative law judge to address the alleged violation(s) that led to the suspension. An order of summary suspension remains in effect until such time as it is modified by the State Liquor Authority or a reviewing Court.
The State Liquor Authority regulates and controls the manufacture, sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages within the State. The Authority works with local law enforcement agencies and localities across the State to ensure compliance with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. In addition, the Authority issues and renews licenses and permits to manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers of alcoholic beverages.