St. James's Gate Faces Liquor License Suspension

Maplewood Township will seek to suspend the liquor license of St. James's Gate Publick House based on charges filed by police alleging that the pub sold alcohol to underage patrons on at least one occasion, according to documents Patch obtained.

According to charges issued by the Maplewood Police Department, the pub also failed to comply with inspections of books of accounting.

Township Prosecutor Annette DePalma will prosecute the case on behalf of the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The township, acting in its capacity as the local ABC, has authority over license holders in the city. The ABC decides what type of action to take against the bar. Punitive measures can range from a fine to revoking the bar's license. 

St. James's Gate has entered a not guilty plea with the ABC, said Township Attorney Roger Desiderio at last week's Township Committee meeting. 

The hearing, which will be open to the public (but will not allow public comment or questions), will be held at the end of May although a date has not been finalized.

The township is requesting to suspend the pub's plenary license for periods ranging from one day to 30 days for the various offenses. 

The five charges include bookkeeping violations as well as serving alcohol to a minor. The charge that carries the highest potential penalty (a 30-day license suspension) is failing to "produce the proper endorsement which would allow the licensee to keep or maintain the books of account off premises..."

The charge of serving a minor is related to an alleged incident on March 10, according to the documents.

The pub has been in the spotlight as a pending assault case involving St. James's Gate bartender James Meade makes its way through the courts. These charges do not appear to be related to that case.

Separately, the township's annual renewal of alcohol licenses is coming up on June 30, said Township Clerk Liz Fritzen at the meeting.