CRU Wine and Spirits Faces Eviction After Owners' Arrest

The owner of 1750 Washington Street received permission from the U.S. District Court last week to terminate its lease agreement with CRU Wine and Spirits, which has been shuttered since May after its owners were arrested and charged with drug conspiracy.

PGR Management/Rooster Realty Trust claimed CRU owes back rent on the property, which was cleared of merchandise following the arrest of co-owners and siblings Bridget and Brant Welty. The Weltys have been charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute controlled substances including oxycodone, marijuana and human growth hormone.

U.S. Attorney General Carmen Ortiz said in a ruling last week that “there has been no indication since May 27…that CRU has any sufficient legitimate sources of funds either to pay any back rent that is due to PGR, or to reopen and operate a business at the CRU Premises.”

“It is, therefore, appropriate for PGR to serve a notice to quit upon CRU at this time,” she concluded.

Prosecutors have asserted that CRU Wine and Spirits was funded by proceeds from a drug-trafficking ring that included the Weltys and 11 others and spanned at least three states.

The activity took place in Massachusetts, Florida and South Carolina among other locations and began in January of 2010, if not earlier, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court.

Both Weltys have entered not guilty pleas in response to the charges. Bridget Welty was released on a $10,000 bail in June. Brant Welty also entered a not guilty plea at an arraignment in May and will be released on bail this Friday. The details of his release will be determined at a hearing Friday afternoon.

Prosecutors attempted to keep Brant Welty in custody after a cache of weapons was found in his apartment. In many documents, prosecutors refer to Welty as the “alter ego” and “right hand man” of John Willis, the alleged leader of the conspiracy.

But U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer Boal ruled on Monday that Welty poses no significant danger to the public. The 40-year-old Massachusetts resident has been steadily employed, has no criminal record and obtained the necessary licenses and permits for all of his firearms and ammunition, she wrote. 

“The government presented no evidence linking the firearms to illegal activity,” Boal wrote. “Other than the ownership and possession of the firearms themselves, the government presented no evidence tending to show that the defendant presents a danger to the community.”

The Weltys opened CRU Wine and Spirits in November of 2008, selling a variety of wines, beer and liquors.