Judge Rules in Favor of TABC's Permit Suspension of Texas Nightclub
AUSTIN — A Texas administrative judge has affirmed the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission's 30-day suspension order against a nightclub in McAllen. On June 18, TABC agents inspected Elevate Nightclub, and discovered that it was not operating in accordance with the Governor's executive order and had failed to monitor and enforce social distancing standards. The agency served the business with a 30-day permit suspension order the next day.
"TABC is grateful for the administrative judge's decision affirming the agency's emergency suspension order of Elevate Nightclub," TABC Executive Director Bentley Nettles said. "It's our hope that emergency suspensions such as this will continue to be the exception, not the rule. The vast majority of business owners are heeding Gov. Abbott's executive order and placing the safety of their customers and employees first."
TABC is strictly monitoring bar and restaurant activity and will pursue emergency permit suspensions if there are violations that threaten public health and safety. TABC has the authority to suspend any permit that poses a continuing threat to the public welfare. The first infraction will result in a 30-day license suspension, and the second will result in a 60-day suspension.
The Governor's Strike Force to Open Texas has developed specific guidelines bars and restaurants must follow. To see the guidelines and learn more about the governor's efforts to reopen Texas, visit open.texas.gov. Find TABC's resources for businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic at tabc.texas.gov/coronavirus.
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