CHEEKTOWAGA – Two Cheektowaga establishments cited by the New York State Liquor Authority for selling alcohol to a minor had prior liquor authority violations Cheektowaga Chronicle has learned.
The five establishments were caught serving alcohol to a minor during a joint State Police and Liquor Authority sting Friday.  The undercover decoys worked under the direct supervision of State Liquor Authority Beverage Control Investigators.
The businesses cited for selling to minors were:
- Bellevue Hotel at 544 Como Park Boulevard
- 7-Eleven at 2970 Union Road
- Oasis Convenience Store at 2437 Harlem Road
- Town Park Liquor at 2551 Harlem Road
- Rafferty’s Irish Pub at 2794 Harlem Road
The authority tells Cheektowaga Chronicle that two of the establishments were cited previously for selling booze to a minor.  The Bellevue Hotel was cited in 2004 and Rafferty’s Irish Pub in 2013.
Those previous violations will not be held against the licensees because 5-years have elapsed according to the authority.
Licensees charged by the liquor authority with underage sales face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, with fines starting from $2,500 to $3,000 for a first-time offense.
The licensee will be notified by Notice of Pleading that states the charges and depending on what offense this is the fine that is attached to these charges. The licensee then has the opportunity to plead not guilty or accept the charges.
If the licensee pleads not guilty, then a hearing will be scheduled, where the charges will be sustained or dismissed.