What happened at the Liquor Board on June 25, 2015.

Mr. Kodenski responded that the bar has not been in operation for over a year, so the community cannot protest the renewal of the license. Mr. Ruppert had apparently been granted a hardship extension while he was still alive and had then submitted an application to transfer the license to a new owner within the 360 days prescribed by Article 2B section 10-504(d). The application to transfer is still pending before the Board.

Mr. Robinson then argued that, because there is already a license at the transferee’s address (the proposed Crossbar in Federal Hill), that the application to transfer is no longer valid. The Circuit Court had overruled the Board’s decision that the license was invalid under 10-503 and 10-504. Ward replied that this issue was still on appeal, this time to the Court of Special Appeals, taken up by the Attorney General’s office.

Commissioner Moore, reading through the proposed capital investment breakdown, pointed out several items that can’t be considered as “capital,” including employee salaries, among other things. She calculated that there was $66,000 worth of items from the list that would not count, but that still left over $200,000 in investment that would count. Moore said that the Board would have to have receipts of actual expenditures before the restaurant license could be issued in the future. Moore also pointed out that the applicant’s business entity was not in good standing. Mr. Salmon responded that he needs to pay one fee and he will be back in good standing.

The commissioners noted that Councilman Branch’s letter was technically in support of the transfer but was very cautionary about problems that had happened in the past.

Commissioner Moore asked Mr. Amritpal Singh Mann, who is 24 years old and does not own property or reside in Baltimore City, what financial interest he has in the proposed establishment. Mr. Mann replied that he has a 1% financial interest. Moore pointed out that his application states that he has no financial interest at all. She asked Mr. Kodenski, “doesn’t the city resident need to have some interest in the business?” Kodenski replied, “that’s not been the policy for 45 years.” Mr. Mann testified that he has been helping his dad at a different liquor store for four years and has been alcohol management certified.

Violation of Rule 4.18: Illegal Conduct – March 10, 2015/January 8, 2015 – At approximately 8:00 pm the Baltimore City Police Department executed a Search and Seizure warrant at the establishment. The probable cause for the execution of the search warrant was based on a controlled purchase of illegal narcotic drugs at the establishment from a Mr. Andre Campbell, who was working as a bouncer at the establishment at time of purchase. On the date of the execution of the search warrant Mr. Andre Campbell was present and working at the establishment and was taken into custody and charged. On April 15, 2015 Mr. Campbell was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance in regards to the prior controlled purchase which occurred on January 8, 2015.

Violation of Adult Entertainment: Rule 9 Codes Compliance – March 10, 2015/January 8, 2015 – On March 10, 2015, at approximately 7:20 pm an undercover detective of the Vice Unit of the Baltimore City Police Department entered the establishment. While at the establishment Det. Gatto engaged a dancer, later identified as Michelle Schwartz, in conversation. During their conversation Ms. Schwartz solicited Det. Gatto to engage in sexual acts in exchange for U.S. currency. At approximately 8:00 pm the Baltimore City Police Department executed a Search and Seizure warrant at the establishment on that same date. The probable cause for the execution of the search warrant was based on a controlled purchase of illegal narcotic drugs at the establishment from a Mr. Andre Campbell, who was working as a bouncer at the establishment at time of purchase. On the date of the execution of the search warrant Mr. Andre Campbell was present and working at the establishment and was taken into custody and charged. On April 15, 2015 Mr. Campbell was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance in regards to the prior controlled purchase which occurred on January 8, 2015.

Violation of Rule 4.18: Illegal Conduct – March 10, 2015/December 11, 2014 – At approximately 8:00 pm the Baltimore City Police Department executed a Search and Seizure warrant at the establishment. The probable cause for the execution of the search warrant was based on a controlled purchase of illegal narcotic drugs at the establishment from a Mr. Charles Thomas, who was working at the establishment at time of purchase, on December 11, 2014. On the date of the execution of the search warrant Mr. Charles Thomas was present and working at the establishment and was taken into custody and charged.

Violation of Adult Entertainment Rule 9: Codes Compliance – March 10, 2015/ December 11, 2014 – At approximately 8:00 pm an undercover detective of the Vice Unit of the Baltimore City Police Department entered the establishment. While there Det. Jackson engaged a dancer, later identified as Jasmine Vallare, in conversation. During their conversation Ms. Vallare solicited Det. Jackson to engage in sexual acts in exchange for U.S. currency. Ms. Vallare confirmed a range of prices for various services and agreed to a specific set of sexual services for $100.00 in U.S. currency. Shortly thereafter Det. Jackson’s investigation, Baltimore City Police executed a Search and Seizure warrant at the establishment. The probable cause for the execution of the search warrant was based on a controlled purchase of illegal narcotic drugs at the establishment from a Mr. Charles Thomas, who was working at the establishment at time of purchase, on December 11, 2014. On the date of the execution of the search warrant Mr. Charles Thomas was present and working at the establishment and was taken into custody and charged.