Today the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board revoked the license of Pearl, a Class CR restaurant licensee located at 901 9th Street, NW. Under section 25-823(2) of the DC Official Code, the Board has the authority to revoke the license of a licensee who “allows the establishment to be used for any unlawful or disorderly purpose”.
The Board based its decision on evidence and testimony received at summary suspension hearings held on May 31 and June 7, 2006, as well as a show cause hearing held on July 19, 2006. The incidents in question comprised eight police PD-251 incident reports on various violent incidents occurring at or near the establishment from the period of January 16 to May 17, 2006, as well as written reports by ABRA investigators.
During the course of the Board’s three hearings on these matters, an ABRA Investigator testified that during her multiple visits to the establishment she never observed customers seated and eating, nor that tables or chairs were set up for restaurant dining. She further testified the establishment could not produce an incident log or security plan which they were required to maintain by previous Board action. Another ABRA investigator testified the establishment failed on multiple occasions to use wand security screening devices as required by the Board. A Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant testified the establishment had been the subject of eleven calls for service and five serious incidents over a period of five months.