Contact: Julia Jarema
Date: May 22, 2008
Phone: 919-733-5027 x231
ALE CHARGES TWO GREENSBORO BUSINESS OWNERS WITH MISLABELING BEER
Greensboro -- The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division last week charged two local bar owners with three felony counts each of obtaining money by false pretenses. David Edward Essa, 34, and Robert Christopher Martin, 35, both of Greensboro, were cited for mislabeling kegs of beer and representing them as more expensive brands.
ALE Agents investigated the University General Store on Mendenhall Street, Spring Garden Bar and Pizzeria on Spring Garden Street and Westerwood Tavern on Guilford Avenue following complaints that employees were switching labels on beer kegs. Essa and Martin own and operate all three businesses.
"Most retailers take seriously their responsibility not to fraudulently deceive consumers purchasing alcoholic beverages,” said Alan Fields, District Supervisor for Greensboro's ALE Office. “This is the first time in 20 years, I've heard complaints about switching brand labels,” said Fields.
In April, ALE Agents covertly ordered a keg of beer labeled with the Bud Light brand from an employee at the University General Store. They also obtained samples of the Bud Light on tap at the Spring Garden Bar and Pizzeria. Analysis of both samples indicated the beer was Busch Light in both cases. The ALE investigation also revealed that employees at Westerwood Tavern were selling Keystone Light beer from a tap, but representing the product to consumers as Coors Light, a more expensive beer.
In addition to the criminal charges against Essa and Martin, administrative violation reports were submitted to the state ABC Commission against the businesses.
ALE is a division of the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. Its agents have authority to arrest and take investigatory action for any criminal offense. Their primary responsibility is the enforcement of the ABC laws and regulations, as well as laws regulating the sale of drugs, tobacco and lottery tickets.
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