Mansfield bar cited for violating state health orders

MANSFIELD — Agents from the Ohio Investigative Unit visited the following liquor-permitted establishments and issued citations after witnessing violations.

Line Star Enterprises LLC., known as The Electric Company in Mansfield, received a citation Thursday for improper conduct – disorderly activity.

Agents arrived at 11:20 p.m. and found the location to be open and in operation. Approximately 11 patrons were observed within the location consuming alcoholic beverages and employees were not wearing facial coverings.

This liquor permit establishment was previously cited for the same violations on Sept. 22 and Oct. 30.

The statewide curfew set to expire on Thursday has been extended through Jan. 2, Gov. Mike DeWine announced last week in a media briefing. He said the state believed the curfew and mask-wearing have had an impact on Ohio’s coronavirus cases. The curfew runs from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

In addition, 44 Sharp in Atwater received a citation Saturday for improper conduct – disorderly activity. Agents arrived at 10:25 p.m. and found the location was open and in operation with approximately 15 patrons inside consuming alcoholic beverages. Bar employees were not wearing facial coverings.

Finally, West 6th Street Partners Inc., known as Velvet Dog in Cleveland, received a citation Saturday for improper conduct – disorderly activity. At approximately 9 p.m., agents observed patrons occupying every seat at the bar, while others lined up behind to order beverages. Patrons were seen congregating, standing, and walking throughout the premises while consuming alcoholic beverages. No social distancing measures or physical barriers were in place.

These cases will go before the Ohio Liquor Control Commission for potential penalties, including fines and/or the suspension or revocation of liquor permits.

The Ohio Investigative Unit is made up of fully-sworn, plainclothes peace officers responsible for enforcing Ohio’s alcohol, tobacco, and food stamp fraud laws. Agents conduct compliance checks to ensure the liquor permit premises are compliant with the Ohio Liquor Control Act. Agents also act on complaints of illegal activity on liquor permit premises.

In addition to providing the safety checks associated with the COVID-19 directives, OIU agents continue to perform their normal compliance checks to ensure the liquor permit premises are complying with the Ohio Liquor Control Act.