Martin v. State Liquor Authority
Martin v. State Liquor Authority
Opinion of the Court
Memorandum. The judgment of the Appellate Division is affirmed. The State Liquor Authority found that petitioner had suffered or permitted gambling on the licensed premises on six separate occasions between April 1 and April 24, 1974 in violation of subdivision 6 of section 106 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. The Appellate Division annulled that determination on the ground that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that the licensee should have discovered the gambling activity by the exercise of due diligence. We agree.
The Half Moon Restaurant had operated for 15 years without incident, except for a minor violation some eight years prior to these charges. The licensee and owner, Mary Martin,
There was no evidence whatsoever that the licensee had actual knowledge of the gambling activity. Indeed, there was a specific finding that the licensee had no knowledge of any such activity. Further, there was also a finding of fact that Unnerberg had only limited supervisory responsibility, despite the fact that the only evidence in the proceeding on this subject came from the licensee to the effect that Unnerberg had no such responsibility. Absent a finding that the licensee had given the barmaid unequivocal supervisory responsibility, Unnerberg should not be deemed an agent whose knowledge could be imputed to the licensee (see Matter of Triple S. Tavern v New York State Liq. Auth., 31 NY2d 1006, affg 40 AD2d 522; Matter of Reuben, Inc. v State Liq. Auth., 268 App Div 981, affd 294 NY 730; Matter of Stevensville Lake Holding Corp. v O’Connell, 269 App Div 804). The licensee visited the premises each morning for the purpose of ordering supplies and was in and out of the premises intermittently every day. The record further indicated that the licensee admonished Unnerberg when hired not to engage in gambling or any
Chief Judge Breitel and Judges Gabrielli, Jones, Wachtler and Fuchsberg concur; Judges Jasen and Cooke dissent and vote to reverse for the reasons stated in the dissenting memorandum by former Justice Fred J. Munder at the Appellate Division (49 AD2d 941).
Judgment affirmed, with costs, in a memorandum.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In the Matter of Mary G. Martin v. State Liquor Authority
- Status
- Published