Beer Board fines stores after police sting
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Speedway, 2148 N. Charles G. Seivers Blvd. in Clinton, was penalized by the Clinton Beer Board on Monday, July 27, after an employee sold beer to an underage customer during a Clinton Police Department undercover operation in June. - Ben Pounds
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Rocky Top Market, 2412 N. Charles G. Seivers Blvd., was among two Clinton businesses cited for selling beer to an underage customer during a police compliance check in June. The Clinton Beer Board imposed a penalty on the business at its Monday, July 27, meeting. - Ben Pounds
Two gas station/convenience stores caught in a recent police sting were levied penalties by the Clinton Beer Board at its July meeting.
The Beer Board, which consists of all members of the Clinton City Council, met Monday, July 27. Board member Matt Foster was absent.
The two businesses were Speedway, 2148 N. Charles G. Seivers Blvd., and Rocky Top Market, 2412 N. Charles G. Seivers Blvd.
The Clinton Police Department accused the businesses of selling beer to a minor during an undercover operation in June.
Police said an 18-year-old assisted officers in determining whether the stores and other businesses were complying with state laws governing age-restricted sales. The 18-year-old presented identification accurately showing his age.
The board unanimously voted to give Rocky Top Market the choice of paying a $1,000 fine or serving a 30-day suspension from selling beer.
Mayor Scott Burton explained that the fine was the maximum allowed if the business has a certificate showing its employees have received required training.
Sherry Foust, representing Rocky Top Market, told the board the business had the certificate and that its employees had been trained on how to properly check identification.
She said it was the business’s first offense in eight years.
Council member David Queener, however, stressed the seriousness of the violation.
“That really doesn’t mean anything to me,” he said regarding the lack of previous violations. “You’re talking about selling beer to underaged people.”
No one spoke on behalf of Speedway, which did not have a certificate of training. The board unanimously voted to fine the business $15,000 unless it provides a certificate showing its employees received the required training. If the business provides the certificate, it will face either a $1,000 fine or a 30-day suspension from selling beer.
Queener expressed frustration that no Speedway representative attended the meeting. He said he wanted all beer removed from the store’s shelves and its license revoked until a representative appeared before the board. Those proposals did not pass.
“This is blatant disregard not to show up here to the Beer Board,” Queener said.
