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Howard County hearing on Jason’s Wine & Spirits centers on missing records for premium bottles; board to deliberate in closed session
Summary
ATCC inspected Jason’s Wine & Spirits on Aug. 7, 2024 and seized six premium bottles after inspectors could not find matching purchase invoices on site, the Howard County Alcohol Beverage Hearing Board heard July 22.
The Howard County Alcohol Beverage Hearing Board heard a petition July 22, 2024 regarding Wine Source LLC, trading as Jason’s Wine & Spirits (licensee Benita B. Shaw). ATCC agents and county detectives inspected the licensed premises on August 7, 2024 and identified six premium bottles on the shelves and in storage for which inspectors could not locate matching distributor invoices during the on‑site inspection. The bottles were seized and taken into ATCC evidence storage.
Inspection and seizure: ATCC agent Sophocanic testified he and partner agents, accompanied by Detective Mark Baxter, conducted a routine inspection at Jason’s and identified six high‑value bottles (examples listed in the ATCC report) without on‑site purchase invoices. The inspection form notes invoices and other compliance items were checked, but for the six named items no purchase documentation was produced during the inspection; the inspector recorded the seizure and transported the bottles to secure evidence storage.
Licensee response and follow‑up: Licensee Benita Shaw and store manager Saurabh (Sam) Patel testified that they acquired the business from a prior owner in 2023 and that the purchase included inventory under a bulk‑transfer/bulk‑sale affidavit. Shaw and Patel said they later located and provided several invoices by email to ATCC after the inspection (licensee exhibits submitted to the board show invoices from certified wholesalers dated prior to the inspection). The licensee said any remaining undocumented inventory identified during the inspection was removed from sale once discovered.
Board action and next steps: The board admitted the ATCC inspection report and licensee exhibits into evidence. ATCC sought forfeiture of the seized bottles; the licensee did not object to forfeiture of the seized items. The board took no public vote and established that it will deliberate in closed session and issue a written decision thereafter.
Why it matters: The case highlights recordkeeping and bulk‑transfer issues when a business changes hands; the board’s decision will address whether recordkeeping lapses alone, or evidence gaps about source, warrant sanctions or conditions on the license.
