COLUMBUS, Ohio — Agents with the Ohio Investigative Unit cited four Northeast Ohio establishments for violating the state’s COVID-19 health orders, some while hosting Halloween parties.
BG’s Main Event in Rittman was cited for improper conduct – disorderly activity after agents visited the sports bar to issue citations stemming from previous cases reported by the Rittman Police Department.
Once agents arrived at the bar they observed around 75 to 80 customers congregating and not maintaining social distancing during a Halloween party. Employees were seen not wearing face masks or trying to comply with health orders, OIU said.
The bar received the citation for Friday night’s violations as well as two citations based on Rittman police reports for after hours consumption and furnishing alcohol to an intoxicated person on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24.
The Electric Co. in Mansfield was visited by OIU agents who observed around 100 customers congregating and not maintaining social distancing during a Halloween party. Employees were seen not wearing face masks or trying to comply with health orders.
OIU agents issued the bar a citation for improper conduct – disorderly activity.
In Cleveland, two establishments received citations for violating COVID-19 health orders.
Carney’s Bar was visited by agents around 10:20 p.m. Agents observed around 60 to 70 customers crowded close together with no social distance or physical barriers present on the premises. Customers sat at every seat at the bar and more stood behind them to order drinks. The bar continued selling alcoholic beverages after hours and an agent was able to purchase an alcoholic beverage after the curfew, according to OIU.
The bar was issued a citation for improper conduct – disorderly activity and after hours sale – Rule 80.
Agents also visited Dreamers around 11:45 p.m. and observed customers shoulder-to-shoulder throughout the establishment with no social distance or physical barriers in place. Customers sat at nearly every seat at the bar and there was little room to move without having direct contact with others.
Bar staff also continued to serve alcoholic beverages and numerous customers continued consuming alcoholic beverages well past the curfew, OIU said.
Dreamers was issued a citation for improper conduct – disorderly activity, after hours sale – Rule 80 and after hours consumption – Rule 80. It had previously been citedfor improper conduct – disorderly activity, after-hours sale and after-hours consumption in September.
The four establishments will have their cases heard before the Ohio Liquor Control Commission for potential penalties, including fines and/or the suspension or revocation of their liquor permits.
