Superspreader Wedding: LI Club's Liquor License Suspended

CUTCHOGUE, NY — A North Fork country club's liquor license was suspended after officials said a wedding in October led to more than 30 people contracting the coronavirus.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the suspension Monday. He said the wedding at the North Fork Country Club on October 17 violated gathering restrictions and turned into a superspreader event. The wedding was attended by 113 guests — more than double the limit of 50 allowed under the governor's executive orders — and led to at least 34 COVID-19 infections, Cuomo said. Also, 159 people were quarantined and several schools were temporarily closed to in-person learning.

According to a representative of Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, six schools have had coronavirus cases in relation to the event, including Mattituck Jr./Sr. High School, the Hampton Bays Union Free School District, Northport Senior High School, Eastport-South Manor Jr./Sr. High School, East Quogue Elementary School (one of the country club staffers also works for the school) and Paul J. Gelinas Jr./Sr. High School in East Setauket.

"As we have seen in weddings and similar events across the country during this pandemic, large gatherings can easily be superspreader events, too often with dire consequences," Cuomo said. "Hosting one of these events after all New York has been through is obnoxious and irresponsible — not to mention illegal. We are eight months into this pandemic and simply will not tolerate businesses that put New Yorkers at risk. Those who continue to ignore the rules will lose their ability to serve alcohol, and I thank Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and his team for their cooperation in holding these bad actors accountable."

The 34 who tested positive included 30 guests, three members of the country club's staff, and one wedding vendor, Cuomo said.

After conducting an investigation, the Suffolk County Department of Health made a referral to the New York State Liquor Authority.

On November 6, the liquor authority charged the club with multiple counts of failure to comply with Cuomo's executive orders concerning COVID-19 restrictions and failure to exercise adequate supervision of the premises. The authority then suspended the club's liquor license.

"This type of blatant disregard for the well-being of others is not only extremely disappointing, it will not be tolerated," Bellone said. "Suffolk County took swift action to contain the community spread this wedding could have caused, and I commend Governor Cuomo for taking appropriate action. If you violate the rules, you will be caught and you will be held responsible."

Liquor authority Chairman Vincent Bradley added: "By now, every licensee should be well aware of the protocols in place to stop the spread and should know that an event like this is unacceptable. We are still in the midst of a public health crisis, and the SLA will continue to hold those who ignore these lifesaving rules accountable."

Bellone added the club was also cited for violating Suffolk County's sanitary code. The club faces up to $17,000 in fines.

The Suffolk County Health Department recommended the club receive the maximum fine of $15,000 for violating the executive order and $2,000 for violating the Suffolk County sanitary code, Bellone said.

"If you are caught you will be held responsible," Bellone said. "We have literally come too far and been through too much pain and anxiety, too much harm to people's lives and the economy. Families are still in crisis and businesses are still struggling to survive."

He added, "We have come incredibly far — and this kind of activity is what threatens to bring us back."

The club closed for 14 days after the positive cases were identified.

"We reached out to Department of Health and we are working with them to provide all information needed," the business said in a statement. "In respect of our employees and in compliance with HIPPA we are not able to disclose the health status of our employees."

In September, Giorgio's Baiting Hollow, a popular Long Island wedding venue, had its liquor license suspended after a task force reported 95 people, almost twice the legal limit, attended a reception, according to Cuomo.

That news led to an outcry from lawmakers and business owners who said livelihoods are on the line and catering facilities should be allowed to open at 50 percent capacity.

Earlier in October, a Sweet 16 party at a Miller Place catering hall led to 37 coronavirus cases and 81 guests quarantined in the county's first superspreader event. Sachem High School North was closed.