Etobicoke bar accused of buying booze stolen from LCBO

An Etobicoke bar owner and manager are accused of “repeatedly” buying stolen booze to sell to their patrons and for personal use.

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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario announced on Tuesday that it had issued a notice of proposal to revoke the liquor licence of Southside Johnny’s Bar and Grill on Lake Shore Blvd. W., just east of Browns Line.

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The regulator said their investigation allegedly determined that the “licensee and a manager were repeatedly and knowingly involved in the purchase of stolen liquor for use at their bar, as well as for personal use.”

The AGCO’s probe was conducted with the police. It found that the liquor was allegedly stolen from a nearby LCBO store and the products were then stored at the bar.

It’s also alleged that the contents of some larger bottles were poured into smaller ones to fit the bar’s dispensing system.

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Allegations ‘serious breach of integrity:’ AGCO exec

“Purchasing stolen liquor is a serious breach of integrity that not only violates the law but compromises public safety and introduces illegal goods into Ontario’s regulated alcohol market,” Karin Schnarr, AGCO’s CEO and registrar, said in a statement.

“Ontarians can trust the AGCO to continue holding licensees accountable for complying with all regulatory requirements that help make a safe and responsible marketplace for everyone.”

Added John Summers, the LCBO’s chief retail officer: “(The) LCBO is pleased that the evidence provided by our investigators is helping AGCO to hold businesses accountable. We must work together, along with police services, to help mitigate theft.”

Licensees served with a notice of proposal have the right to appeal the registrar’s action within 15 days to the Licence Appeal Tribunal, an adjudicative body that is part of Tribunals Ontario and independent of the AGCO.