Commission sets date for Bar One hearing

By Dave Gomez

The DeKalb Liquor Commission will decide Dec. 14 whether to suspend or revoke Bar One’s liquor license.

The city alleges Bar One employees fabricated video surveillance to avoid being cited for ordinance violations last month.

Police arrested a 19-year-old woman Oct. 24 for entering the establishment, 1000 W. Lincoln Highway, as a minor. The woman told police she did not present identification when entering.

Several hours later, Bar One manager Joey Sanfilippo contacted DeKalb Police and provided them with a compact disc of what he said was video surveillance of the woman entering the bar with an older woman’s identification.

Police said people involved in the video fabrication tipped them to the crime.

Police said Sanfilippo and his brother, James, called the woman back after closing on Oct. 24 and taped over the original video surveillance that showed her entering without presenting identification. Police said it took the brothers two takes to get the video the way they wanted it.

James and Joey were arrested for obstruction of justice, a Class 4 felony. The charges remain pending.

Class 4 felonies are punishable by one to three years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.

No charges have been filed against the 19-year-old woman for any part in making the video.

The liquor commission hearing will be held Dec. 14 to determine whether Bar One’s Class A liquor license should be revoked or suspended, or if fines should be imposed.

Bar One’s liquor license was suspended before, following a Dec. 5, 2003 party at the bar when it was operating as Amnesia.

During the party, the bar charged a $10 cover, against local liquor ordinances. James, the bar’s manager at the time, also told party organizers to have 21-year-old customers pass their IDs to underage customers.

Amnesia’s licensees were fined $4,500, placed on two years probation and had their license suspended for 90 days. An additional 45-day suspension was deferred, pending no additional violations during the probation period.

James was also barred from serving in a management position during the probation. Bar One allegedly violated its probation by allowing James to act as a manager.

The city will also seek to reinstate the remaining 45-day suspension.

Bar One representatives were unavailable for comment as of press time.

The hearing will be held at 4 p.m. Dec. 14 in Room 200 of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth St.