A popular yet scrutinized Brockport bar won't be offering any holiday spirit in the foreseeable future. Wednesday morning, the New York State Liquor Authority suspended Rocco's Canal Side Pub's license. Time Warner Cable News reporter Breanna Fuss has what else we learned about the bar's past run in's with the law.
BROCKPORT, N.Y. -- It's a calm Wednesday, but Rocco's Canal Side Pub has had its fair share of run-ins with police. Now, thanks to a sting done by the Brockport Police Department earlier this month, drink service has been brought to a halt.
"Well obviously I'm pleased, but not surprised," said Brockport Police Chief Daniel Varrenti.
On Wednesday, the New York State Liquor Authority held an emergency meeting via webcast. Varrenti asked the board to suspended Rocco's liquor license. This is all after the department had an underage decoy bribe the bar's bouncer $10 to get inside. Once in, that same underage decoy was given a drink. The bar’s manager also told police about giving the doorman money to stop taking bribes.
As the meeting went on, we learned the establishment has history of infractions. Between 2010 and 2011, Rocco's faced six different charges and paid $8,500 in fines. In 2012, Rocco's was charged with selling to a minor and forked out another $7,000 in fines.
The bar now faces two more violations from the SLA after this incident; selling to a minor and failure to supervise.
The record with the Brockport police is no different. Varrenti said Rocco's has 14 pages filled with incidents. New criminal charges are to be expected.
"We're talking about bribe receiving, which is not something to be taken lightly," Varrenti said. "We're talking endangering the welfare of a minor by providing them with liquor under the age of 21 and possibly other charges," Varrenti said.
With only so much the department can do, Varrenti hopes the liquor authority keeps the bar dry for good.
"I'm not going to frankly feel as though we've done our job effectively until it is revoked based on everything we've heard," Varrenti said.
All requests for comment from the owners of Rocco's have not been returned.
The suspension is effective immediately and will remain in effect until it is reviewed by an administrative law judge. There's no word on when a hearing will take place.