Details expected Thursday in state raid of Morristown bar

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You get what you pay for.

Unless you’re ordering premium liquor at Morristown’s Sona Thirteen and 28 other New Jersey establishments, according to the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

More details about Operation Swill are expected on Thursday, May 23, 2013, at a press conference in Trenton.

Investigators seized records and inventories Wednesday as part of the year-long investigation. The ABC alleges that the targeted bars and restaurants duped customers and inflated profits by charging premium prices for cheaper alcohol.

Billy Walsh, a partner in Sona Thirteen, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

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Sona Thirteen in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Customer complaints reportedly triggered the probe. Undercover detectives and special technologies were used by authorities.

Other Morris County establishments cited by the ABC are the Blackthorn Restaurant in Parsippany, TGI Fridays in East Hanover and Murray’s in Dover.

Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty said Wednesday that he was awaiting further details from the state.

Generally speaking, he said, “it’s always disturbing, especially if the residents of Morristown, in any business, are being charged certain prices and not getting what they paid for.”

 

5 COMMENTS

  1. Debbie good point, but I suspect in the “year long” investigation both Tashmoo and the Dark horse were sampled by the ABC in that time period. It seems like these are allegations and with this new device of testing, the results should be done quickly. I have also read that some establishments were randomly selected.

  2. Not surprised, these places are nothing more than watering holes that target clueless 20 something’s. This is why the Walsh’s need to be stopped! Given the amount of drunken kids stumbling around I’m surprised no one has been hurt by now!! I see a lot of drunk people leaving the area from these places. Let’s get real Tim!!

  3. True, the mayor apparently does his drinking elsewhere (and they probably do the same thing elsewhere, too). Funny that the Iron Bar, which is owned by a FOT (Friend of Tim), wasn’t selected for inspection.

  4. so i guess we should assume that tashmoo and the dark horse also partake in this deception of your customers. since the walsh family owns all three establishments. nice going guys. way to lose customers. and what? you want to build another bar in town? super. oh and dan above — the mayor is involved because it’s no secret the mayor isn’t a fan of the walsh family.

  5. Funny, the article doesn’t mention the address of this place. And the mayor has to comment on this? 🙂

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