Aug 23 $15,000 Fine and 30-day Suspension of 5 Sisters Restaurant Liquor License

This afternoon, Tuesday, August 23, 2016 the Prince George's County Board of License Commissioners ("Liquor Board") held a mandatory Show Cause hearing at which 5 Sisters Restaurant ("5SR") at 12617 Laurel Bowie Rd, South Laurel, testified to defend against 9 instances of violating the conditions on its liquor license in just a three week period between May 30 and June 18. This August 23 hearing had been continued from an August 3 hearing that could not proceed for procedural reasons.

At the onset, 5SR stipulated its agreement on all the facts in those violations. As usual at any Liquor Board Show Cause hearing, testimony was not solicited from the public.

The LB had suspended 5SR's Class B Beer/Wine/Liquor (BLX) license effective August 3, pending resolution of the violations at today's hearing.

After testimony from 5SR's attorney and it's owners; and from LB inspectors detailing the violations, the LB seriously discussed the option of revoking 5SR's liquor license.

But, ultimately the LB imposed the maximum legally permitted fine of $15,000 (*) and liquor license suspension for a full 30 days, including the past 19 days of suspension, so 5SR can resume sale of beer, wine, and liquor on September 2.

The Liquor Board will soon issue a letter/order formalizing/detailing their decision.

(*) That $15,000 fine turns out to be only $3,500 more than 5SR's testified monthly rent of $11,500.