THE LIQUOR LAWS AND THE MOHEGAN SUN

THIS STORY IS TAKEN FROM DAVID COLLINS ARTICLE IN THE DAY, MARCH 27, 2009, SECTION C1 (REGION).

The end of Collins article says, "And they should do something soon, before another life is lost."

It has been reported that in 2007, the Mohegan Sun Casino had a total 58 violations of Connecticut Liquor Laws (serving minors and intoxicated individuals). The Mohegan Sun paid one hundred sixty eight thousand dollars ($168,000.00) in fines. At the Foxwoods Resort Casinos for 2007 and 2008 the fines totaled for both years $27,000.00.

Three clubs (bars and or restaurants) are owned and operated by Patrick Lyons, of Boston, Massachusetts. Lyons owns Ultra 88, Dubliner and Lucky's Lounge. From 2002 to 2004, Lyon's clubs at the Mohegan Sun Casino paid $18,000.00 in liquor law violation fines. Lyons supposedly fired one of his managers in 2003 for a liquor law violation.

Originally, Lyon's clubs at the Mohegan Sun Casino had their own liquor license. In 2004, Robert Soper, Jr. , who was the Senior Vice President of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority wrote to the Connecticut Liquor Authority asking that Ultra 88 and Dubliners come under the liquor license jointly (together) Is this the same Robert Soper, jr. who now runs Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs for us?.

Now the way I understand Collins article, if someone has a lawsuit because the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority is involved the case must be taken before the Mohegan Tribal Court or the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Court.

Look at the past history of this situation. Just recently, it's been alleged that a sailor of the United States Navy, left Ultra 88 drove down I-395 the wrong way and was involved in an accident that resulted in the death of a Connecticut College student.

Another young man, who claims he was over served alcohol at Ultra 88 feel over a hand rail on an escalator and is now paralyzed from the waist down. Allegedly the man was served , even though his speech was slurred, and he was stumbling. His lawsuit is in the Mohegan Court system.

Two bartenders allegedly were told by the manager of one of the clubs (Lucky's Lounge) to over serve a 20 year old woman for the purpose of getting her drunk. The manager then allegedly had sex with the woman on top of the bar. The legal age to drink in Connecticut is twenty one (21). Collins says,"A jury eventually cleared Lyons' company, finding credible the plaintiffs belief that the young waitress was sexually harassed but deciding the club mangers did not prove they were fired for trying to ensure that the club comply with liquor or laws."

In my opinion, Collins is right about what he wrote. These clubs do have a reputation of having trouble when they close down at 2:00 a.m. It looks like the casino by being jointly licensed with Lyons, means that the lawsuits have to go through the Mohegan Court system.

Could it be, these clubs are in fact violating the Liquor Laws? Is having the plaintiffs going to Mohegan Court unfair to their being able to take their cases to state courts? Should something be done about this situation at these clubs, if they do in fact exist? What do you think?