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Business placed on probation after questions arise about liquor-license application
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By Jeff Haldiman
jhaldiman@newstribune.com
A Jefferson City business is on probation for one year after a meeting of the city's liquor control board was held Friday to find out why there appeared to be a false statement on its liquor-license application.
“We want to know what we need to do to comply and rectify this situation,” said Curt Fischer, who co-owns the Eagle Stop in the Wildwood Crossing complex on Missouri Boulevard.
Fischer and Anthony Gier, who both testified Friday, are partners with Larry Welch in the ownership of Eagle Stop.
Earlier this week, Welch was charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree assault for allegedly causing an accident that killed two members of a Russellville family last Sunday.
After published reports showed Welch had prior convictions before Sunday's accident, city and state officials went back and reviewed the initial liquor license that was granted to the Eagle Stop in August 2002.
One of the questions on the application asks whether any of the applicants has been charged or convicted of any state law.
The applicants answered “no,” but unbeknownst to Fischer and Gier, Welch had been convicted of leaving the scene of an accident prior to filing for the license.
State and local officials said background checks were performed at the time, but everything appeared to be in line. The state is now reviewing this case.
Both the city and state require an owner to have “good morale character” in license applications.
Assistant City Attorney Drew Hilpert said there are some owners who have DWIs, and state officials said convicted felons can hold a liquor license, but can't sell liquor themselves.
“Larry has been a great friend, but he has not had any day-to-day connection with the operation,” said Fischer, who added that Welch is also a partner in other convenience stores that he and Gier own.
“Don't you think you should have been more aware?” asked City Finance Director Steve Schlueter, who chaired Friday's meeting.
But Fischer said he and Gier never asked Welch about his driving record, though both said they felt he had a drinking problem.
As part of the probation, the board added that, upon their request for renewal, Fischer and Gier must have correct information and, if Welch is still their partner receiving profits from the sale of liquor from this business, the denial of the renewal can be considered.
The license is up for renewal on Feb. 1.
Fischer and Gier said it appears the only way they can still operate their businesses, in the current form, is to put together a new corporation without Welch. But that could mean a legal battle.
“We're prepared to do what we have to do because we have to think about our livelihood,” Fischer said.
“We want to know what we need to do to comply and rectify this situation,” said Curt Fischer, who co-owns the Eagle Stop in the Wildwood Crossing complex on Missouri Boulevard.
Fischer and Anthony Gier, who both testified Friday, are partners with Larry Welch in the ownership of Eagle Stop.
Earlier this week, Welch was charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree assault for allegedly causing an accident that killed two members of a Russellville family last Sunday.
After published reports showed Welch had prior convictions before Sunday's accident, city and state officials went back and reviewed the initial liquor license that was granted to the Eagle Stop in August 2002.
One of the questions on the application asks whether any of the applicants has been charged or convicted of any state law.
The applicants answered “no,” but unbeknownst to Fischer and Gier, Welch had been convicted of leaving the scene of an accident prior to filing for the license.
State and local officials said background checks were performed at the time, but everything appeared to be in line. The state is now reviewing this case.
Both the city and state require an owner to have “good morale character” in license applications.
Assistant City Attorney Drew Hilpert said there are some owners who have DWIs, and state officials said convicted felons can hold a liquor license, but can't sell liquor themselves.
“Larry has been a great friend, but he has not had any day-to-day connection with the operation,” said Fischer, who added that Welch is also a partner in other convenience stores that he and Gier own.
“Don't you think you should have been more aware?” asked City Finance Director Steve Schlueter, who chaired Friday's meeting.
But Fischer said he and Gier never asked Welch about his driving record, though both said they felt he had a drinking problem.
As part of the probation, the board added that, upon their request for renewal, Fischer and Gier must have correct information and, if Welch is still their partner receiving profits from the sale of liquor from this business, the denial of the renewal can be considered.
The license is up for renewal on Feb. 1.
Fischer and Gier said it appears the only way they can still operate their businesses, in the current form, is to put together a new corporation without Welch. But that could mean a legal battle.
“We're prepared to do what we have to do because we have to think about our livelihood,” Fischer said.
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concerned wrote on Feb 27, 2008 3:12 PM: