St. James's Gate License Hearing Postponed

A hearing originally scheduled for Friday regarding the possible suspension of St. James's Gate Publick House's liquor license for charges alleging the pub sold alcohol to an underage patron and failed to comply with inspections of accounting books has been postponed, according to Township Prosecutor Annette DePalma.

"There is a tentative plea agreement," said DePalma, who said she and the attorney for St. James's Gate had come to a "meeting of the minds" regarding a "good outcome" for the case.

The hearing is now scheduled to take place at the Maplewood Township Committee's (TC) regular meeting on June 18, DePalma said. The TC, acting as the local Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), will have to agree to accept the plea agreement by resolution, she said.

DePalma will prosecute the case on behalf of the ABC. The township has authority over license holders in the city and the ABC decides what type of action to take against the bar. Punitive measures can range from a fine to revoking the bar's license. 

The township was requesting to suspend the pub's plenary license for periods ranging from one day to 30 days for the various offenses, including bookkeeping violations and serving alcohol to a minor. 

A call to the pub's defense attorney was not returned Thursday.