Post-Controversies, American Legion To Face Selectmen Hearing

STOUGHTON, MA — American Legion Post 89 could lose their licenses at a hearing to be held later this month.

The selectmen were scheduled to hold a hearing for the American Legion last Tuesday, but the board voted 4-1 to delay to Nov. 21 after Barry Crimmins, an attorney for the American Legion, said the notice he received had several missing enclosures.

Chairman David Sousa did not vote to postpone, citing a desire to move the hearing forward. He also wanted to make a motion to suspend the establishment’s liquor, entertainment, and common victualler licenses until the hearing but was told that such an action could not be taken without a hearing and a finding of facts.

Town Counsel Brian Winner said the incomplete package may have been due to the documents being transferred from town email accounts to his email account across multiple messages and some attachments may not have been sent by accident.

The American Legion has faced several legal problems this year. In June, the board voted to suspend their liquor license for seven days with five to serve after determining that a violation occurred in April when a person was served past 1 a.m.

In August, six people were arrested in connection to a significant drug and gaming operation that was allegedly ran out of the building. During the Aug. 21 raid, officers found an illegal video gaming machine in the kitchen and a white substance on the counter.

In 2007, they were hit with a gaming violation.

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