Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
A statewide probe of possible ethics violations by members of local Alcoholic Beverage Control members is continuing, and the story is getting bigger. The entire ABC board in New Hanover County resigned after ethics violations were discovered there. And in Charlotte, the heat is on the ABC board chairman to resign.
From the Charlotte Observer:
A former Mecklenburg County commissioners chairman, Parks Helms has been under fire since a Nov. 18 dinner hosted by the liquor company Diageo.
Diageo spent $12,700 on the dinner at Del Frisco’s steakhouse for 28 ABC Board employees and their guests. The $4,900 bar tab included $1,000 for four bottles of Dom Perignon.
After news accounts, ABC employees and Helms repaid $9,334. The company picked up the bill for its two employees and their spouses as well as the $2,032 tip.
Last week Alcohol Law Enforcement agents issued a report alleging that Diageo, its N.C. marketing director and the Mecklenburg ABC Board violated laws on giving and accepting anything of value.
Based on their findings, the N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission has since launched a statewide probe into possible violations of liquor laws in Asheville, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and at least four other cities.
I’m wondering when this story will hit Asheville. The Greensboro has a good opinion piece on the topic here.
An expensive dinner with a big bar bill in Charlotte produced a throbbing headache for the N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.
It will take more than an ice pack or aspirin to ease the pain. The commission needs to find a cure that corrects the behavior that led to the hangover.
To its credit, it has launched a statewide investigation into practices that might violate state laws or ABC regulations and will discuss an ethics policy at its monthly meeting Wednesday.
The Charlotte bash was heard across the state. On Nov. 18, the liquor company Diageo hosted a dinner for 28 Mecklenburg County ABC Board members, employees and guests at a cost of $12,700. The bar tab was $4,900, The Charlotte Observer reported. When word got out, board members reimbursed the company. Accepting gifts from industry representatives is prohibited by state law.
A Diageo marketing director told investigators he also bought meals for ABC employees in several other cities. That claim is being examined
Twas the Night before ABC Christmas
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the store
Not a customer was stirring, work wasn’t a chore ;
The stockings were hung by the Chivas with care,
In hopes that St. Billy soon would be there;
The Commishs were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of kick-backs all danced in their heads;
And Bev in her robe, and Jon taking a crap,
Were about to lay down for a overnight nap,
When out in the foyer there arose such a clatter,
Bev sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
When, what to her eyes should appear,
But old Billy, and Brad, with 8 bottles of cheer,
She knew in a moment it wouldn’t be a great year.
And she groaned, and shouted, and called them by name;
Billy, Brad and Jon it’s a shame; that ABC Liquor will take all this blame;
It was such a good deal; it was such a good game;
How did you let it go so insane.
The Commishs then met to flush out the mess but resigned in a huff, no talk to the rest;
St. Billy then shouted I need to retire; I need to get out of all this mire.
It’s too hot in Hanover, I hate being a goat,
Hell, I worked hard to keep the stores afloat
Then Billy sprang to his feet; he left in a flash;
I am getting my pension to hell with the rest;
To the top of the pitcher! To the top of the glass!
Now drink away! drink away! drink away all!
Then Bev heard him call out, as he disappeared from sight,
Merry Christmas to all, I had a great night .