Foxborough Will Seek Charges Against Bartenders That Served Alcohol to Minor During Compliance Check

Bartenders in Foxborough who serve alcohol to a minor now have a new consequence to their actions: criminal charges from the town.

Already suggested at last week’s liquor license violations hearing, Foxborough has received the ok from the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office to press criminal charges against bartenders that allegedly served alcohol to a minor during a liquor license compliance check performed by the Foxborough Police Department in September.

Sgt. Richard Noonan is preparing his reports and complains for Wrentham District Court on employees at nine businesses that allegedly sold alcohol to the operative, according to the Sun Chronicle.

During the second round of hearings, the selectmen voted 4-1 to give Saga’s Hibachi Steakhouse, Showcase Cinemas de Lux, and Tavolino a three-day liquor licenses suspension with one of the day’s taking place on a Friday or a Saturday.

Lorraine Brue was the lone vote against the motion, supporting a one-day suspension.

Like the four businesses last week, the three in front of the board were first time offenders. In each case, an underaged college student entered the establishment, approached the bar under the supervision of a plain clothes officer, and asked the bartender for a beer. If the operative was asked for his age or license, he was instructed to give his read age and under-21 license.

In the three cases, the operative was able to buy a beer without being asked for his license.

The establishments, while admitting that there was a violation, protested the expected punishment of a three-day license suspension which were also handed to four establishments a week earlier.

“I don’t think it’s helpful to blanket and say we’re not going to look at the specifics of the cases. That’s not fair,” attorney for Saga Mark Stopa said. “I think that if this board is trying to make a statement about the severity and how important this town takes these issues, you have to let people know what you’re going to do.”

Stopa also took issue with the difference in consequences for establishments that failed the compliance check last year. During the previous check, three establishments were given letter of reprimand and one was given a one-day suspension during the establishment’s down period.

Tavolino owner Graham Silliman said he was against the town pursuing legal action against the bartenders.

“If a server or bartender looks online and see who’s hiring, they will see Foxboro is a town that will prosecute if they make a mistake. They will go to Legacy Place and we’ll be left with the leftovers,” Stillman told the selectmen.

Skipjack’s and Waxy O’Connors will round out the liquor licence violation hearings on Dec. 8.