State Fines Martell's $500,000, Suspends License For A Month

by Patricia A. Miller

Martell’s Tiki Bar must pay a $500,000 fine and will lose its liquor license for a month starting in September for serving liquor to a woman who died in a car crash and severely injured another woman, according to the state Attoney General’s Office.

All of the Martell’s staff who serve liquor must also undergo safe service alcohol training and will be observed by a compliance monitor approved by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control and paid for by Martell’s. The monitoring will continue for as long as the current owners hold an interest in the liquor license.

Martell’s was charged with one count of serving alcohol to an intoxicated person and pleaded ”non-vult” or no contest to the charge, according to the state.

“It is unlawful in this state to serve alcohol to a person who is actually or apparently intoxicated and the repercussions of not abiding by the law have been brought to bear in this tragic case,” said Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman.

Ashley Cheico, 26, of Wood-Ridge, was drinking at Martell’s on August 16, 2013. She then left the bar driving an SUV she did not own. Old Bridge police have said Cheico struck a car driven by Dana Corrar head-on on Route 18. Cheico was killed in the crash and Corrar suffered multiple injuries, according to Old Bridge police reports.i

“Our office has repeatedly pursued and penalized establishments that do not keep close watch over who and how much they serve,” said Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Michael Halfacre. “Now is the time for all license holders to review their standards and practices for alcohol service to ensure that another tragedy like this one does not occur.”